Savor the salvias before they're gone

Get It Growing for 10/04/24

Early fall is when we say goodbye to most of the migratory hummingbirds that have been visiting our gardens since mid-summer. Even after they’ve left us to fly south for the winter, we can continue to savor the beauty of some of the flowers that fed them.

Salvias, for example, will keep blooming until first frost — and one of our favorites this time of year is called Salvia leucantha. Commonly known as Mexican bush sage and velvet sage, this salvia is a magnet for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

As a member of the Salvia genus, Mexican bush sage is a relative of a long list of ornamental salvia species that are sometimes referred to as sages. You may have heard of hummingbird sage (Salvia guaranitica), mealy sage (Salvia farinacea) and forsythia sage (Salvia madrensis). This genus also includes herbs such as common or culinary sage (Salvia officinalis) and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus).

As its name suggests, Mexican bush sage is native to Mexico and parts of South America. It is a tough, drought-tolerant, long-lived perennial. Unlike many other salvias, it is cold hardy enough to grow and return each year, even in north Louisiana.

Salvias are known for their showy flower spikes that rise above their foliage. While many salvias start blooming in spring, Mexican bush sage blooms from late summer through fall — perfectly timed for those migratory hummingbirds to snack on.

As a bonus, Mexican bush sage is deer resistant. The animals don’t care for the fragrance or texture of its narrow, fuzzy leaves, which is where the common name velvet sage comes from. The leaves are green with a silvery sheen, and they are fragrant when crushed or handled.

The most popular Mexican bush sage cultivar, simply called bicolor, sports purple and white blooms. Other selections include Midnight, a solid dark purple; Mischief, a white-flowering cultivar; and Velour Pink, which features pink and white flower spikes.

Mexican bush sage prefers full sun but will tolerate afternoon shade. It should be planted in a bed with good drainage, which is important in helping it survive cold winters. Within a few years, plants will grow into clumps that are 2 to 3 feet wide and 3 to 5 feet tall.

Planting is best done in the spring. But it’s never too soon to start planning future garden projects. Next year, consider dedicating some space to plants that feed hummingbirds and other pollinators.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for the towering, colorful flower spikes of Mexican bush sage and other salvias that stand out in the landscape as we transition into fall. Take time to appreciate their beauty — and all that they’ve done for our pollinator friends ahead of their long journey south.


LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg talks about one of his favorite salvias, Mexican bush sage.

Plant with purple flowers

Bicolor Mexican bush sage features purple and white flower spikes. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Bee flying near plant with purple flowers and blue sky in background

Mexican bush sage is a pollinator magnet, providing hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and others an important food source well into the fall. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Bee sitting on plant with purple flowers

A bee collects pollen from a flower on a Mexican bush sage plant. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Plant with purple flowers

Mexican bush sage is a perennial that will grow into a sizable clump within a few years. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

10/2/2024 6:05:25 PM
Rate This Article:

Have a question or comment about the information on this page?

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

Top