General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 7b -15 °C (5 °F) to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 10b
Plant Height: 3-4 feet
Plant Spread: 2-6 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Gray-green upper, white pubescent reverse.
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Purple
Bi-Color: Purple and white
Other: White petals extending from purple calyces.
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late summer or early fall
Fall
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Cut Flower
Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Humidity tolerant
Drought tolerant
Salt tolerant
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Awards and Recognitions: Texas Superstar®
RHS AGM

Image
Common names
  • Mexican Bush Sage

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) was a featured
Plant of the Day for April 22, 2016.
Photo Gallery
Location: My garden in Warrenville, SC
Date: 2019-10-18
#pollination #bee
Location:  
Date: 2008-10-28
Location: South Carolina
Location: Kyle, TX
Date: 2023-05-18
a real beauty
Location: Aberdeen, NC (my garden 2023)
Date: October 2, 2023
Mexican Bush sage #104 nn; LHB page 855, 176-18-19; AG page 412,
Location: My garden in Warrenville, SC
Date: 2019-10-18
#bees #pollinator A bee in late October enjoying the last nectar
Location: Hamilton Square Perennial Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2014-10-13
 Salvia leucantha and all it's cultivars have this velvety look.
Location: Ft Worth Botanic, Tx
Date: 2017-11-18
Location: Southern Pines, NC (Boyd House garden)
Date: October 5, 2022
Mexican Bush sage #104 nn; LHB page 858, 176-18-19; AG page 412,
Location: Nationale Plantentuin Meise (Brussels)

Date: 2017-10-18
Chicago Botanical Garden
Location: Hamilton Square Perennial Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2014-10-06
 The specific epithet comes from the Latin words 'leucos' meaning
Location: Southern Pines, NC (Boyd House garden)
Date: October 5, 2022
Mexican Bush sage #104 nn; LHB page 855, 176-18-19; AG page 412,
Location: Nationale Plantentuin Meise (Brussels)
Location: In a container at Longwood Gardens.
Date: 2009-11-07
Location: Austin, Texas
Date: 2022-04-05

Date: 2011-10-12
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2006-10-23
Location: A private garden in Oklahoma City
Date: 2000-10-31
These two were one gallon plants that were planted in May. This p
Location: Real Botanico de Madrid
Location: San Antonio, TX
Date: 2019-10-16
Location:  
Date: 2014-02-08
Location: Orangeburg, SC
Date: late summer
vibrant bloom color
Location: San Antonio Botanical Garden, San Antonio, Texas
Date: 2022-04-04
Location: Kyle
Date: 2018-09-11
Location: Coastal San Diego County 
Date: 2018-04-20
Location: Coastal San Diego County 
Date: 2018-04-20
Location: Irmo, SC
Date: 2017-10-28
Location: Burleson, Tx.
Date: 2011-10-02 
soft fuzzy purple blooms

Photo Courtesy of Lazy S'S Farm Nursery.
  • Uploaded by Joy

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic
Location: Kyle, Texas
Date: 2018-05-11
After a cold winter, this died to the ground but is coming back n
Location: NJ
Date: 2018-05-24
Location: western Oregon
Date: 2016-02-21
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2006-10-22
Growing in a 20 inch container
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2006-10-22
Location: Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, TX
Date: 2013-10-05
  • Uploaded by jon
Location: Winter Springs, FL zone 9b
Date: 2014-09-26
Location: Winter Springs, FL zone 9b
Date: 2014-09-26
Location: Reding SC gardens in Oklahoma City
Date: 2001-11-13
These two were one gallon plants that were planted in May. This p

Date: 2011-10-09

Photo Courtesy of Lazy S'S Farm Nursery.
  • Uploaded by Joy

Photo Courtesy of Lazy S'S Farm Nursery.
  • Uploaded by Joy

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic

Courtesy Gardens in the Wood of Grassy Creek
  • Uploaded by vic

Courtesy Robin's Salvias
  • Uploaded by vic
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by Lavanda (TX - Zone 8a) on Mar 22, 2014 12:56 PM concerning plant:
    I have raised this lovely plant on and off for years. In my borderline zone 7b/8a, it acts as a half-hardy perennial, lasting for a few years (not more than three seasons), until a colder than normal winter takes it out for good. I then replace them.

    They drive hummingbirds crazy with joy.

    I like to use them to surround the birdbath.
  • Posted by Marilyn (Kentucky - Zone 6a) on May 26, 2013 10:13 PM concerning plant:
    "Salvia leucantha (Mexican bush sage) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to subtropical and tropical conifer forests in central and eastern Mexico. The flowers are usually white, emerging from coloured bracts. It is not frost hardy, but is often grown in warmer latitudes for its prominent arching velvety blue or purple inflorescences.

    It grows up to 4.3 feet high and 6.6 feet wide, with numerous erect stems, often arching at their tips, and with long inflorescences. The linear-lanceolate leaves are a soft mid-green, with whitish, hairy undersides."

    Taken from wikipedia's page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...
Plant Events from our members
dragonfetti On March 12, 2015 Plant emerged
Coming up from the bottom; tops does not show any sprouting.
dragonfetti On September 29, 2014 Obtained plant
One gallon pot. Planted two weeks later.
lovesblooms On February 19, 2015 Seeds sown
indoors
variegatagal On May 22, 2018 Deadheaded
variegatagal On May 19, 2018 Transplanted
variegatagal On May 2, 2018 Obtained plant
Perennial Path Plant Farm
1035 S Trinity Rd, Denton, TX 76208
WebTucker On October 5, 2022 Bloomed
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