If the plant doesn’t receive enough sun, it won’t bloom well (and might not bloom at all). Since it’s drought tolerant and loves full sun, a site adjacent to a hot asphalt driveway, in a well-drained sunny border, or in a patio pot is ideal. If you’re going to try your hand at growing Mexican bush sage, pick a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. ‘Santa Barbara’ blooms are irresistible to hummingbirds, especially those passing through on their fall migration. It tops out at just 2 to 3 feet in height. Other names for this plant include ‘FerPink’, ‘Velour Pink’, and ‘Wellington Pink’. It’s tough to come by but is worth seeking out. ‘Danielle’s Dream’– This is a pink-flowering selection of Mexican bush sage. May be slightly less hardy than the straight species. In warmer climates, this plant is in bloom from spring through fall. Sometimes also called ‘Purple Velvet’ or ‘All Purple’, Midnight Mexican bush sage is quick-growing and the foliage is covered with fuzzy hair. It reaches 3 to 4 feet in height with a width of 4 to 6 feet. ‘Midnight’ – This variety has very dark purple flowers and a compact growth habit. The flowers are deeper purple than the straight species. Looks beautiful in containers or in beds and borders mixed with other late-blooming plants. ‘Santa Barbara’ – A more compact plant than the straight species with a height and width of 3 feet. While the straight species has many merits, there are a handful of Mexican bush sage varieties with specific traits that might suit your garden even more. Yes, this is a plant that requires patience because it really doesn’t strut its stuff until late in the growing season but trust me…It’s worth waiting for! The shrub behind this Mexican bush sage flower is already showing its fall colors when the bush sage finally comes into flower. Their nectar is adored by hummingbirds and bees alike. In the autumn, the plants produce spires of fuzzy, light purple and white bicolor flowers that are long-lasting and prolific. Unlike culinary sages, the leaves of this Saliva species are not flavorful. The tapered leaves are a silvery-green on the bottom and a medium green on top. Mexican bush sage reaches a height and width of 4 to 5 feet with a soft, open growth habit. A native of Mexico, this heat-lover with gray-green leaves thrives in hot summers, but later in this article, I’ll discuss a few ways you can overwinter it from year to year if you live in a cold region like I do. In my Pennsylvania garden, it would never survive the winter outdoors, but in South Carolina or southern Texas, the same plant will live for many years. Since it only survives the winter in warm climates that stay above 18☏, this plant is treated as an annual and grown only for a single season in all but the warmest regions. Salvia leucantha is a perennial ornamental sage that’s often grown as an annual during the summer months in northern regions. Mexican bush sage is a drought-tolerant plant that’s a real star in the garden. Let’s dig in and learn more about this great plant. In this article, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of growing Mexican bush sage, along with tips for the best location and how to keep the plant from year to year if you live in a colder climate. There is no doubt that this is a plant well worth growing. But it’s also the gray-green foliage, the drought-tolerance, the pest resistance, and the romantic, billowy growth habit that make Mexican bush sage ( Salvia leucantha) so adored. First off, no one can deny the beauty of the velvety light purple flower spikes. There is so much to love about Mexican bush sage.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |