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Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)

Mexican Bush Sage, Mexican Sage

AGM Award
Salvia Leucantha, Mexican Bush Sage, Fall flowering perennial
Salvia Leucantha, Mexican Bush Sage, Fall flowering perennial
Salvia Leucantha, Mexican Bush Sage, Fall flowering perennial

Maybe one of the most attractive salvias, Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is prized by gardeners for its ornamental and showy velvety flower spikes produced from late summer to first frost when other summer plants have given hope of doing anything productive.

  • This evergreen shrubby perennial typically grows 4-6 ft. tall and wide (120-180 cm) in a wonderful display of very attractive, bicolor flowers consisting of soft purple sepals that create a lively contrast to the fuzzy white flowers. They rise in dense, arching spikes above the lance-shaped leaves, which are gray-green leaves on top and fuzzy white underneath.
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society (1993)
  • Easy to grow, it thrives in full sun (but tolerates part shade) in average to rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils.
  • Perfectly suited for beds, borders or containers. Outstanding as cut flowers.
  • Loved by butterflies and hummingbirds but ignored by deer and rabbits!
  • Drought tolerant but does best with regular moisture.
  • Requires minimal care once established.
  • Cut old foliage to the ground in early spring
  • Native to Mexico.

Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Here are some tips on how to plant and grow salvia successfully

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 4 - 12
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Mexican Sage, Mexican Bush Sage, Sage
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late), Fall
Height 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 48" - 72" (120cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Salvia nemorosa ‘Perfect Profusion’ (Sage)
Salvia Skyscraper Pink (Sage)
Salvia coccinea ‘Summer Jewel Lavender’ (Scarlet Sage)
Salvia Skyscraper Orange (Sage)
Salvia ‘Little Kiss’ (Sage)
Salvia involucrata ‘Bethellii’ (Rosy-Leaf Sage)

Recommended Companion Plants

Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)
Gaura (Bee Blossom)
Crocosmia (Montbretia)
Agapanthus (African Lily)
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Echinacea (Coneflower)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 4 - 12
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Mexican Sage, Mexican Bush Sage, Sage
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late), Fall
Height 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 48" - 72" (120cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Salvia (Sage)
Guides with
Salvia (Sage)
Not sure which Salvia (Sage) to pick?
Compare Now

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