Print This Page
Salvia, leucantha
Salvia, Mexican Bush Sage
Salvia leucantha 'Santa Barbara'
Salvia leucantha 'Santa Barbara,' or Santa Barbara Mexican Bush Sage is a cultivar brought to Mortellaro's in 2022 for it's more compact and managable form. It is a drought-tolerant, evergreen perennial that thrives in Texas’s challenging climate conditions. Known for its adaptability, this compact variety is highly suited to hot, dry regions with minimal rainfall, making it an excellent choice for Texas landscapes prone to extended droughts. It matures to a height of about 4 feet and spreads approximately 4 feet wide, creating a tidy, manageable form ideal for smaller garden areas, borders, or xeriscapes.
'Santa Barbara' is renowned for its vibrant flower spikes in late summer and fall, with striking purple and white blooms that attract a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant’s blooms rise above the foliage, adding visual contrast and texture to the garden. While it prefers well-draining soils, 'Santa Barbara' can tolerate poorer soil conditions typical in Texas as long as there is adequate drainage. The fuzzy, gray-green foliage adds a soft texture to the landscape, enhancing the visual appeal even when the plant is not in bloom.
This low-maintenance sage performs best with full sun exposure, tolerating Texas’s intense summer heat with ease. Santa Barbara Mexican Bush Sage requires little watering once established, making it a great choice for water-wise gardens. For best results, light pruning after flowering will encourage a tidy shape and support fresh growth the following season. Its compact size, resilience to drought, and pollinator-friendly nature make it a valuable addition to Texas gardens focused on sustainable, low-water landscaping.
Flower Color:Purple & White
|
 |
Height4 Feet
|
|
Spread4 Feet
|
USDA Hardiness Zone 7
Available Sizes:
| Item |
Description |
| SAL-LEU-01 |
#001 SALVIA, LEUCANTHA 'Santa Barbara' |
|
| SAL-LEU-05 |
#003 SALVIA, LEUCANTHA 'Santa Barbara' |
|
Characteristics & Attributes
|
Deer Tolerance
|
Exposure
|
Habit
|
Soil pH Preference
|
|
Water Needs
|
Texas Native
|
