Salvia leucantha

Salvia leucantha (03/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late summer to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.2m

Eventual Spread: 1.5m

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11 (the above ground part of this shrub will die at the colder end of its hardiness range)

Family: Lamiaceae

Salvia leucantha is an evergreen shrub with an erect, bushy habit. Its silvery, dark green leaves are lanceolate with finely serrulate margins, up to 20cm long and 4cm broad. Its purple and white flowers appear as a terminal spike which is up to 30cm long. Its roots may sucker which aids its spread.

Salvia leucantha Flower (03/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Salvia leucantha, commonly known as Mexican Bush Sage, is native to east and central Mexico. In its native habitat it grows in conifer forests.

The etymological root of the binomial name Salvia is derived from the Latin salvare, meaning to ‘save’ or ‘heal’, in reference to its historical use as a medicinal plant. Leucantha is derived from the Greek leukos meaning ‘white’ and anthos anthos meaning ‘ flower’.

The landscape architect may find Salvia leucantha useful as a late flowering shrub with attractive foliage. Once established this plant will tolerate some drought.

Ecologically, Salvia leucantha flowers are attractive to pollinating insects and nectar loving birds.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Salvia leucantha their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.