Mexican bush sage

Perennial · Shrub

Salvia leucantha

Mexican bush sage

Also known as: Salvia bicolor

A late-flowering, shrubby sage with soft grey-green leaves and arching spikes of velvety purple and white flowers.

  • Full sun
  • 0.6–1.2 m (2–4 ft)
  • 0.5–1 m (2–3 ft)
  • H2 · Zone 10
  • August–November
  • Evergreen
  • RHS Award of Garden Merit

Overview

From Mexico and Central America, this bushy sage has narrow, grey-green, aromatic leaves with felted white undersides. From late summer until the frosts it produces long, arching spikes of fuzzy purple calyces from which small white flowers emerge, giving a soft, velvety effect loved by bees and butterflies. It is frost tender (RHS H2) in the UK and similar climates, so grow it in a sunny border as a late-season showpiece and either lift it, keep it in a pot that can come under cover, or take cuttings.

At a Glance

Sun Full sun
Height 0.6–1.2 m (2–4 ft)
Spread 0.5–1 m (2–3 ft)
Hardiness H2 · Zone 10
Flowers August–November
Soil Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture Moist well drained
Habit Arching, Bushy
Water Low
Maintenance Moderate

Growing Conditions

Min. Temperature 1°C (34°F)
pH Range 6–8
Fertility Average
Drainage Free Draining

Aspect Suitability

  • South-facing
  • West-facing

Site Tolerance

  • Drought

Soil Tolerance

  • Chalk
  • Sandy
  • Loam
  • Acid
  • Neutral pH
  • Alkaline

Foliage

Salvia leucantha (Mexican bush sage)
Salvia leucantha (Mexican bush sage)
Persistence Evergreen
Colour Grey-green, Silver
Leaf shape / texture lanceolate_felted

Foliage interest: May–November

Seasonal Timeline

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Propagate
  • Flowering Aug Sep Oct Nov
  • Foliage May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
  • Propagate Apr May Aug Sep

Maintenance Calendar

  • Apr Cut overwintered plants back hard to fresh shoots, as new growth produces the best autumn flower spikes
  • May Plant out after the last frost into a sunny, well-drained spot
  • Aug Take cuttings now as an insurance, since it rarely survives a cold winter outdoors
  • Oct Move pots under frost-free cover or lift a plant before the first frost, keeping it barely moist through winter

Garden Design

Works well in: Cottage, Mediterranean, Modern / Contemporary, Wildlife-friendly

Use for late-season colour in a sunny border or big pot; it looks especially good beside silver foliage and pink or orange dahlias.

Companion planting: Ornamental grasses, Asters, Dahlias, Silver foliage

Wildlife Value

  • Bees
  • Butterflies
  • Other pollinators
  • Birds

Safety

Not known to be toxic; ornamental sage, not for culinary use.