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Red Chihuahuan Sage Salvia greggii

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
SAL-vee-uh GREG-ee-eye
Description

Autumn sage is a small, herbaceous perennial or somewhat woody sub-shrub in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Growing 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, it is native to Texas and found mainly on rocky slopes. Different cultivars offer flower colors from red to coral, and some are mixed with white. Salvia, the genus name, comes from the Latin word salveo, meaning ‘be well’. Greggi is in honor of Josiah Gregg (1806-1850), a botanist and explorer who discovered the plant on an exploration through Texas.

This sage prefers full sun but tolerates afternoon shade in regions with high summer heat. It needs well-drained soil, and tolerates rocky soil. The cultivar 'Wild Thing' reportedly has better winter hardiness than species plants. Propagate it by stem cuttings. This plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators and is seldom damaged by deer. It is drought and slightly salt tolerant.

Good locations for autumn sage are slopes, banks, and naturalized areas. Use it as a border, hedge, or mass planting in a children’s, butterfly, pollinator, or drought-tolerant garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Salvia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Floricyle Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County Part Shade Garden, Durham County Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden Rock & Water Garden Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade Rock and Crevice Garden West Side Foundation Planting in Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Elk Pomegranate
    Raspberry colored flowers
  • 'Lipstick'
  • 'Wild Thing'
    Pink blooms, plant is more cold hardy
Elk Pomegranate, 'Lipstick', 'Wild Thing'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#edible plant#salt tolerant#spreading#deer resistant#clumping#rocky soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#HS302#stormwater demo garden orange co
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Elk Pomegranate
    Raspberry colored flowers
  • 'Lipstick'
  • 'Wild Thing'
    Pink blooms, plant is more cold hardy
Elk Pomegranate, 'Lipstick', 'Wild Thing'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#edible plant#salt tolerant#spreading#deer resistant#clumping#rocky soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#HS302#stormwater demo garden orange co
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Salvia
    Species:
    greggii
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Texas
    Distribution:
    south-central and west Texas south to San Luis Potosi in Mexico, mostly on rocky slopes.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and is seldom damaged by deer.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edibility:
    Leaves can be used fresh or dried for seasonings and teas, and the flowers are edible.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Description:
    Schizocarp has 4 chambers with 1 nutlet each
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are tube-shaped and two-lipped (smaller upper and larger lower lip) and about one inch long, appearing in terminal spikes.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Square stems are woody and very brittle.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt