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Salvia
leucantha: Mexican Sage |
Salvia leucantha is a dependable
strong growing plant in the full sun, even when the soil is poor. Every once
in awhile I see a wimpy specimen of Salvia leucantha growing in the shade and it reminds me of how poorly it
fares there. Mexican Sage gets to about 4'+ tall and wide.
I cut it back nearly to the ground even at the coast because the new stems perform
so much better. Salvia leucantha is easily divided. Mexican Sage suffers when too much water is
applied and will sometimes rot out completely. Mexican Sage blooms from mid to late spring
through frost or the moment I get them with my pruners. Salvia
leucantha has survived temperatures in the low 20's
but was slow coming back so I think that is close to the lower limit. The white
flowers poking out from the purple calyx is very pretty and the humming birds
consider this sage a major food source in any garden that they find it. There is also a variety with both calyx and flower that are purple
called 'midnight'. Click on the image to see the darker variety.
This is a great plant for the butterfly
garden as well as the hummingbird
garden.
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