How do you care for Santa Barbara sage?

Plant in full sun to light shade and irrigate occasionally to infrequently – is drought tolerant and size can be controlled by judicious irrigation practices. Evergreen to 25° F but should prove root hardy the same as the species which tolerated 18° F in the winter 1990 freeze and could possibly go lower with mulching.

Is Santa Barbara sage deer resistant?

Mexican Bush Sage is classified as a Salvia, a member of the mint family. The “Santa Barbara” species of Salvia leucantha is a native from Mexico. It is very hardy, drought tolerant and deer resistant. The beautiful lavender flowers are spectacular throughout the fall season and attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

How do you prune Salvia Santa Barbara?

All you need to do is cut all the one year old growth to the ground once you see their flowers dying and fresh, new shoots coming out of the base. The flowers start to fade towards the end of winter – this is the time to prune them.

What time of year does sage bloom?

Common sage blooms in early summer. The camphor-scented, bluish-lavender to pink-lavender flowers are borne in whorls on short, upright flower spikes. Each flower has two lips. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and occasionally to hummingbirds.

Does Mexican sage grow well in pots?

Easy to grow, it thrives in full sun (but tolerates part shade) in average to rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Perfectly suited for beds, borders or containers.

Do you cut back Mexican sage in the winter?

If you live in a warm climate where winter stays above 18°F and this plant returns year after year, do not prune Mexican bush sage back until the late winter or very early spring. Pruning in the fall could reduce the plant’s ability to survive the winter.

What can I plant with Salvias?

Salvia often has attractive foliage or flowers, and other flowering plants go well with it. These include verbena, dahlia, zinnia, Shasta daisy, petunia, marigold, goldenrod, day lilies, daffodils, coreopsis and others that enjoy sunny locations and well-drained soil.

When should salvias be cut back?

Salvias can be pruned twice a year — once in the late fall or early winter and once in the early spring. It’s also a good idea to cut off spent blooms and trim the plant after each flowering to prevent it from getting too leggy and woody.

Does sage spread in the garden?

If sage is planted in the right place in the garden, it can spread over several square meters. Early spring is a good time to cut back sage. If the leaves are cut before winter, the plant might have difficulty to get through the winter time.

Is Santa Barbara Sage a perennial?

Noted for its compact and strong branching habit, Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’ (Mexican Bush Sage) is a shrubby perennial boasting long-lasting wands of velvety purple flowers adorned with a hint of lavender-rose.

Do hummingbirds like Santa Barbara Sage?

This “Santa Barbara,” as compared to the common Mexican Bush Sage, is greatly favored by hummingbirds and butterflies. It has a more compact appearance, due to its dense foliage, and provides an colorful appearance to the garden.

Is there a difference between Mexican sage and seasoning Sage?

Mexican sage does not share the pleasant scent or culinary values of the seasoning sage. Oils do have a mild pest resistant quality that leads to their use in some indigenous granaries and basket making. The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds. Fast growing; reaches 3 ft. tall and wide. A superior plant for hot dry slopes and banks.

Is there a dwarf Mexican bush sage for lavender?

It was named KAB in her honor and was later marketed as Dwarf Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia leucantha ‘Santa Barbara’ selection. So, how about a plant that is hardy, drought tolerant, usually deer resistant, and blooms spectacular lavender flower stalks throughout the fall season? That plant would be the Dwarf Mexican Bush Sage.