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Velvet Sage Salvia leucantha

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
SAL-vee-ah lew-KAN-thuh
Description

Velvet sage, also called Mexican bush sage, is a herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family and native to Mexico and central America. It is a relative garden newcomer but is seen today gracing the late summer garden across the state. It is only hardy from the lower Piedmont to the coastal plain, and extreme winters may kill it. The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin term salveo, which means ‘be well’ and refers to the plant's medicinal properties. The specific epithet leucantha comes from Latin and means ‘white-flowered’.

This sage prefers rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil but will tolerate some drought. It does best in full sun but tolerates afternoon shade in regions with high summer heat. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. Propagate by division, seed, or stem cutting. This plant is resistant to deer and rabbits.

The flower stalks bear persistent flower bases or calyces that are velvety and purplish with short-lived, white corollas that do not appear until late summer. The showy, bicolor flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Use velvet sage as a border or mass planting in butterfly, cottage, or pollinator gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Whitefly, aphids, mealy bug, and spider mites are insect problems. Rust, powdery mildew, stem rot, and fungal leaf spot are disease 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 landscape:
Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • All Purple
    Flowers are all purple (not bicolor)
  • Danielle's Dream
    Pink and white flowered
  • Midnight
    may be synonym for 'All Purple'
  • Santa Barbara
    Compact form with purple calyces and rose-lavender petals
All Purple, Danielle's Dream, Midnight, Santa Barbara
Tags:
#purple#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple flowers#nectar plant#low maintenance#fall interest#cottage garden#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer browsing plant#tender perennials#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#annual#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • All Purple
    Flowers are all purple (not bicolor)
  • Danielle's Dream
    Pink and white flowered
  • Midnight
    may be synonym for 'All Purple'
  • Santa Barbara
    Compact form with purple calyces and rose-lavender petals
All Purple, Danielle's Dream, Midnight, Santa Barbara
Tags:
#purple#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple flowers#nectar plant#low maintenance#fall interest#cottage garden#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer browsing plant#tender perennials#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#butterfly friendly#annual#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Salvia
    Species:
    leucantha
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico and Central America
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. This plant is resistant to damage by deer.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Dense
    Spreading
    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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Description:
    Bicolor flowers with white corollas and purple calyces. The white does not appear until late summer into fall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Linear, lance-shaped, gray-green leaves (to 4” long) have a soft, velvet-like feel.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat
    Rabbits