Papaya tones are always pleasing and Salvia 'Papajan' provides it profusely, and seemingly effortlessly, all through summer. There are some special plants which just keep on giving, they become dependable staples of the garden – littleleaf sage is one of them. Once this salvia is settled into the right spot, it’ll form a bushy plant which is covered in pretty little blooms from late spring all the way through to autumn every year. The shrubby nature of Salvia 'Papajan' means that it stays strong and upright through the season, its twiggy branches and stems are covered in aromatic leaves too which brings some additional appeal.

A sun lover, Salvia microphylla 'Papajan' does best in a south-facing border. Growing to around 60cm tall and wide once established, it fits will in the middle of a border. This plant is perennial and can tolerate winter temperatures down to around -5°C, it’s a perfect plant for mild coastal gardens, but may need some protection in areas with chilly winters. The peachy colour really pops when it’s positioned next to plants either with dark flowers, like Dahlia 'Black Jack', or any purple such as salvia, nepeta or perovskia. For a gentle, more muted colour scheme, try planting this among ornamental grasses like Pennisetum or Panicum. This ornamental sage needs a free draining soil – if the soil in your borders isn’t right for it, you can also grow Salvia 'Papajan' in a patio container for a long-flowering, low-maintenance display on your patio!