Salvia leucantha
(Mexican Sage, Velvet Sage)

Origin:  Native of Mexicao and Central America
Family:  Lamiaceae
Light:  sun-part shade
Height:  3-4'
Spacing:  3-4'
Blooms:  Showy, 1.5' spikes, purple with  white tips, soft, velvety, archy, terminal, late Summer
Foliage:  Aromatic, herbaceous, soft,  blue-green with silvery-gray undersides, lance-shaped
Soil:  Well-drained, highly alkaline neutral
Water:  Regular
Uses:  Hummingbird garden, butterfly garden
Propagation:  Seeds, stem cuttings, layering

Comments:  Salvia leucantha or Mexican Sage, Velvet Sage is a showy tropical subshrub with an airy, mounding growth habit.  It is a native of Mexico and Central America.  has woody base. From late Summer to late Fall, Salvia leucantha produces prolific terminal stalks of soft furry purple blossoms with white tips, followed later by seeds.  Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are magnetized by the nectar-rich flowers.  The weight of the flowers cause the stems to arch.  Mexican Sage has soft, blue-green, lance-shaped, opposite foliage with silvery-gray undersides; the leaves are borne on purplish, slightly wooly, squarish stems.  Velvet Sage is easily propagated from stem cuttings, layering or seeds.  It thrives best in well-drained, highly alkaline to neutral soil in a sunny environment.  Velvet Sage is low maintenance and can tolerate some drought when established.   Give it a nice prune early Summer for a bushier appearance.  Mass plant Salvia leucantha at the back of border for a terrific display.  This Mexican beauty is an attention getter. 


USDA Zones:  8-10

JennysGarden.com...Plant images and gardening descriptions of Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage) growing in Jenny's Garden

Image of butterfly and hummingbird attractor, Salvia leucantha or Mexican Sage or Velvet Sage

Image shows the white-tipped flowers of Salvia leucantha