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Salvia leucantha 'Purple Compact' from Mortellaros
Salvia, leucantha
Salvia, Mexican Bush Sage
Salvia leucantha 'Purple Compact'
Salvia leucantha 'Purple Compact' or Compact 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.
Mexican Bush Sage 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, it 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. Compact 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.
In regions with mild winters, the plant often remains evergreen, though it may slow its growth. In areas prone to frost, the foliage may die back, but the plant will regrow from the roots in spring. To prepare for winter, cut the plant back to about 6 inches after the first frost or when the foliage begins to decline. Mulching around the base with a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic material provides insulation and helps protect the roots during colder months. Avoid overwatering in winter, as the plant prefers drier soil during dormancy.
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Compact Cultivar |
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Drought Tolerant |
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Summer to Fall Bloomer |
Flower Color:Purple & White
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Height:4 Feet
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Spread:4 Feet
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Spacing:2-3 ft
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USDA Hardiness Zone 7
Available Sizes:
| Item |
Description |
| SAL-LEU-01 |
#001 SALVIA, LEUCANTHA 'Purple Compact' |
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| SAL-LEU-05 |
#003 SALVIA, LEUCANTHA 'Purple Compact' |
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Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Habit
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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Texas Native
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Tolerates Poor Drainage
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