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Salvia leucantha

Image of Salvia leucantha

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

Salvia leucantha

Plant Common Name

Autumn Mexican Bush Sage, Mexican Bush Sage

General Description

Mexican bush sage is an evergreen perennial subshrub that is commonly grown as a tender perennial. It originates from Mexico and Central America and is admired for its beautiful, tall arching habit, gray-green foliage and fantastic sprays of flowers that appear in late summer to fall. These soft, fuzzy, tubular flowers are born on linear spikes and come in shades of purple, blue, pink or white.

Mexican bush sage thrives in warm, sunny conditions and well-drained soil with average fertility. It is more drought tolerant than many other salvias, but appreciates a periodic deep soaking. Where hardy, the stems may be cut to the ground after flowering to renew growth and control the size of the plant. In marginal areas (USDA Zone 7) do not cut back frost-dried stems until warmth returns the following spring. This beautiful salvia is a stunning addition to fall-themed container compositions, and shines in mixed beds and borders. Its colorful blooms also make excellent cut flowers.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 4

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m

  • Width

    3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall

  • Native To

    Mexico, Central America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Purple, Pink

  • Fruit Color

    Tan

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Gray Green

  • Bark Color

    Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No