Sage ‘Mexican Bush’

Salvia leucantha

Characteristics

Culture

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10.  Grow Sage ‘Mexican Bush’ in average to rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light afternoon shade, but generally is best in full sun. Also tolerates some drought, but does best with regular moisture. Purchase plotted plants in spring or start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost date. Set out sage ‘Mexican Bush’ seedlings or purchased plants after last spring frost date. Cut back after frost browns leaves and before new spring growth.  Plants may survive outdoors if grown in protected locations, cut to the ground before first frost and given a good winter mulch.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Salvia leucantha, commonly called Mexican bush sage, is an evergreen shrubby perennial that is a Texas native and Texas Superstar®. It is typically grown as an annual in the northern part of Texas although it is native to Mexico and the tropical Americas. This sage is most noted for producing a very attractive late summer to frost bloom of showy bicolor flowers consisting of white corollas and longer-lasting funnel-form purple calyces. Flowers appear in dense, arching, terminal spikes (racemes to 10” long) that extend above the foliage. Flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Linear, lance-shaped, gray-green leaves (to 4” long) are borne in pairs on square stems. Foliage has a velvet-like texture, hence the sometimes used common name of velvet sage for this species.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Borders, bedding. Containers.