Salvia ‘Iced Lemon’ (microphylla): is a small subshrub for a sunny position, 40-60cmH with pale lemon flowers and very dark calyces.
The dark calyx of Salvia ‘Iced Lemon’ makes a good contrast with the pale lemon coloured flowers.
Flowers: are an even pale yellow through out the flower. Yellow hairs are seen over the tip of the hood and the bottom lobe is flared wide and slightly divided.
Flowers first appear in spring, continuing through out the summer and well into autumn. If not pruned, it will continue to flower through winter.
Bees are attracted to the flowers during the day, but as the flowers are so pale, they shine during the night when dark, so are visited by moths and other nighttime insects
Calyces: are very dark. Usually green with dark ribs giving an overall dark colour image. All have pointed lobes. The flowers and calyces are clustered in pairs at the top of a dark flowering stem above the foliage to catch passing bees and insects.
Leaves: are a mid green colour, lanceolate in shape, with veins and midrib easily seen and small crenations around the edge. All leaves are pointed – NOT rounded.
Salvia ‘Iced Lemon’: is perfect suited if planted with other pastel coloured shrubs and perennials, but can easily add a contrasting colour to vibrant blues and purples in the garden.
Plant towards the front of the garden bed, in a full sun position to show off the delicate yellow colouring of the flowers.
This is a tough hardy small subshrub for the hot, dry months of summer and the cold of winter, tolerating light frosts quite well.
At the end of summer or even in autumn, when the main flowering period is over and the plant is looking tired, then is the best time to trim and neaten. Cut out any dead or twiggy stems, cutting back to a good green bud. This new growth will regenerate the shrub.
Through out the growing season, the shoots should be tip pruned, to keep the bushy and not too woody and leggy.
Propagation: usually by tip cuttings taken during the spring and summer.