Salvias are a popular group of plants for attracting pollinators and adding lots of color to the landscape.  A unique salvia that offers velvety flowers is the Mexican bush sage, Salvia leucantha.

In our heat, Mexican bush sage can tolerate partial shade and likes average water with well drained soils. Plants will not overtake a spot only growing 2-4 feet. The velvety portion of the flower is a purple calyx with the flower petals emerging white or purple. Flower stalks will extend above the foliage to be available to many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Mexican bush sage planted with ‘First Knight’ pennisetum. Photo by Bolles, UF IFAS Extension Escambia County.

During cold winters, plants can die back to the ground but often return each spring.  It is always good to take a few cuttings for new plant starts just in case your plant dies back from heavy rains or drought conditions.

Mexican bush sage can be an accent plant in your garden or used in a small mass of 2-3 plants. Consider adding it with contrasting textures and colors so later summer flowers are easily visible.

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