Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)
Mexican Bush Sage, Mexican Sage
 and Dahlia ‘David Howard’ bloom on the edge of the Minder WoodsOptimized.webp)
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
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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 | Salvia - 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) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| 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 | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Salt |
| 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 |
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
By Mary Lynn Strand/Shutterstock, Chanticleer Garden
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.
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 | Salvia - 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) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| 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 | Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Salt |
| 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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