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Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’ (Mexican Bush Sage)

Mexican Bush Sage 'Santa Barbara', Mexican Sage 'Santa Barbara'

Salvia Leucantha Santa Barbara, Mexican Bush Sage 'Santa Barbara', Mexican Sage 'Santa Barbara', Fall flowering perennial, Purple Flowers
Salvia Leucantha Santa Barbara, Mexican Bush Sage 'Santa Barbara', Mexican Sage 'Santa Barbara', Fall flowering perennial, Purple Flowers
Salvia Leucantha Santa Barbara, Mexican Bush Sage 'Santa Barbara', Mexican Sage 'Santa Barbara', Fall flowering perennial, Purple Flowers

Noted for its compact and strong branching habit, Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’ (Mexican Bush Sage) is a shrubby perennial boasting long-lasting wands of velvety purple flowers adorned with a hint of lavender-rose. Blooming from summer to fall, they rise in dense, arching spikes above the attractive foliage of lance-shaped, gray-green leaves, up to 4 in. long (10 cm). Perfect for small gardens, this dwarf Mexican Bush Sage makes a striking addition to borders, containers, rock gardens and Mediterranean gardens. Evergreen to 25°F (-4°C).

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm). 
  • performs best in full sun (but tolerates light shade) in well-drained soils. Irrigate occasionally to infrequently. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Perfectly suited for beds, borders or containers. Outstanding as cut flowers.
  • Loved by butterflies and hummingbirds but ignored by deer.
  • Requires minimal care once established. Cut old foliage to the ground in early spring

Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


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

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
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 (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

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

Recommended Companion Plants

Sedum x rubrotinctum (Stonecrop)
Aeonium ‘Sunburst’
Festuca glauca ‘Blaufuchs’ (Blue Fescue)
Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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6 Reasons You Should Create a Butterfly Garden
Salvia (Sage)
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Hummingbird
Best Annual Flowers and Plants for Full Sun
Companion Planting With Herbs
Wonderful Plants That Repel Insects
Great Rose Companion Plants: Nepeta, Salvia and Lavandula
Hardy Perennial Salvias (Sage)
Salvia guaranitica (Blue Anise Sage)
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
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 7 - 11
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 (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
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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