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Salvia involucrata or Salvia puberula 'el botano' ~ Rose Leaf Sage

Salvia involucrata is a great back border plant.  The Rose Leaf Sage can be more than 8 feet tall.  Salvia involucrata tends to be an upright grower but may flop onto its neighbors late in the season.  The inland valley heat works wonders, Salvia involucrata will thrive with ample water and full sun.  In its native Mexico it grows on the margins of forests.  The Rose Leaf Sage seems to like but not require water once established.  I inadvertently didn't water a plant in one of our gardens for a summer and it was still standing, though pretty wimpy looking.   Salvia involucrata gets frost damaged in the low to mid 20's.  I love the fuzzy petals and the large green leaves.    The biggest flowering season is in the fall.  This salvia also goes under the name of Tarantula Sage.  Salvia involucrata is a great addition to the hummingbird garden as well as the butterfly garden.