Mexican Bush Sage

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia Leucantha) is a fall blooming salvia that grows into a nice shrub.  It starts off in spring like in the above picture.  The silvery foliage is nice even when not in bloom.  The purple flowers around it in the picture are verbenas.

Here is a picture of the full plant as it now looks at the end of September / beginning of October.  This is one of the best fall bloomers I have.  The butterflies and especially the migrating hummingbirds really appreciate the nectar this plant puts out.

Here is a close-up of the velvety blooms.   They are a nice purple and stick out the top of the plant, beckoning all flying friends to come in for a visit.

This plant is reliably perennial in my area of the country.  It likes a sunny location that has good drainage.  Like most salvias, it doesn't do well in boggy conditions.  However, this particular type does well in the humidity of the Southeast and is a good choice for our area.  A great plant to add to a non-irrigated bed because it takes drought like a champ.  It dies to the ground each winter only to come back strong in the spring.