Photo of Salvia leucantha flower by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Salvia leucantha

Also Known As

  • Salvia leucantha 'Bicolor'
  • Bicolor Mexican Sage Bush
  • Mexican Bush Sage

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

  • H: 3'-5'
  • W: 2'-3'

planting zones

  • 7b-11

More Options

Salvia leucantha plant details

Salvia leucantha is a broadleaf deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial shrub with blue and green foliage. In fall and summer lavender and white flowers emerge. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Salvia leucantha

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: lavender and white blooms in fall and summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, cutting garden, dried-arrangements, easy-to-grow, fragrant, long-blooming, rock garden, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Salvia leucantha

USDA Zones: 7b - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer, heat and humidity
Soil needs: average, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

White tubular blooms emerge from tall, velvety, purple calyxes on dense flower spikes from late summer to fall. This is considered to be the normal color form for the species. Soft velvety medium to gray-green foliage. Mexican Sage bush is a drought tolerant, sun and heat loving reliable clump forming perennial that is considered deer proof. Mexican Sage bush is a drought tolerant, sun and heat loving reliable clump forming perennial that is considered deer proof. This tough plant is moderately salt tolerant making it a good choice for coastal plantings. Mexican Sage Bush does best where it has excellent drainage, particularly in winter and mulching can help ensure its hardiness in questionable areas. Salvia leucantha's excellent drought tolerance makes it a good choice for containers and xeriscapes.
An evergreen, shrubby perennial. Slender, white, wooly stems and narrow grey-green leaves combined with wands of purple-pink, tubular flowers that appear to be cut from velvet, make this one of the most popular of Salvias, particularly since it flowers in the depths of Winter and is tolerant of dry spells.Well drained soil.Prune in Spring.

By: Zephs

Vigorous shrub or herbaceous perennial to 5', with many flowering stems rising from the rootstocks. Attractive gray-green leaves with white, hairy undersides and 12" spikes of flowers extending well beyond the foliage. Velvety white flowers project from a purple calyx, and are arranged tightly in whorls. Flowers are most common from summer to fall but in California some flowers can be found most of the year. Deadheading improves performance and extends flowering. Best in full sun, with well-drained soil and occasional summer water. Prune to the ground in late February or March for fresh spring growth. Native to tropical coniferous forests of central and eastern Mexico. Hardy to 20F. Mexico.
Mexican bush sage is a spreading mounding perennial growing 2-4 feet with lance shaped willow like leaves. Arching spikes of lavender and white flowers in late summer thru fall. Best in full sun, tolerates drought. Great for a hedge in frost free areas.
Dramatic perennial, 3-5' tall and wide, vertical stems decorated with pretty, aromatic, silvered foliage. Long spikes of lavender purple flowers that look and feel like velvet! Full sun, well drained soils – don't overwater. Blooms mid summer thru fall. Flowers dry nicely. Don't cut back old stems until spring when you see new growth from the base.

Gardening facts about Salvia leucantha plant

How to Grow Salvia leucantha

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • white
    • lavender
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • bees
    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
    • deciduous
    • semi-evergreen
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