Salvia elegans
‘Honey Melon’
"Pineapple Sage"

Photo (left) courtesy of Sodai Gomi

Brilliant red blooms and super fragrant foliage on this smaller-scale “Pineapple Sage”! Only reaching 2-3’ tall and 4-5’ wide, it’s the perfect choice for smaller gardens or containers. It also blooms earlier than the straight species, putting out familiar scarlet two-lipped tubular flowers from May to November. The delicious melon scent derives from the textured, bright green ovate leaves, most evident when the leaves are crushed. This is one of best plants to attract hummingbirds. Flowers and leaves can be used in tea infusions and the flowers make a lovely garnish. Native to Central America, this tough and durable “Sage” is one of the very easiest to grow. It stays evergreen in zones 9b and higher. Suitable for a container and makes a show-stopping addition to herb/edible gardens. Adapts to a variety of soils and can handle dry or moist conditions. Deer resistant.

Earl,
Curious Plantsman

Sun/Pt.Sun
Avg./Low Water

Perennial
USDA zones 8b-10