Salvia leucantha     
Mexican bush sage   
Lamiaceae Family     

Form: shrubby perennial
Seasonality: evergreen in Tucson
Size: 2-6ft with equal spread
Leaves: opposite, to 2.5in long, soft, underside silvery, heavily ridged and prominent veination

flower and leaf form of Salvia leucantha

Flowers: showy spike of soft purple flowers on silver stem, tubular shape, 3/4in long
Fruit: not significant
Stems/Trunks: n/a
Range/Origin: Mexico; not well determined
Hardiness: 25°F

LANDSCAPE VALUE

• borders
• background plant
• perennial gardens
• attracts hummingbirds

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS

• Exposure: full sun to part shade
• Water: regular; does not like to dry out, water every week or once per two weeks
• Soil: prepared
• Propagation: vegetative cuttings, simple; clump divisions
• Maintenance: low; to maintain vase shape, cut back twice per year (after blooming)

NOTES:

best appearance when sheared back in winter
some varieties have white lip on purple flowers
best when mixed with other plants, especially contrasting bloom colors

two specimens of Salvia leucantha

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This page was first created August 24, 2001 and last modified February 11, 2006.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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