Salvia greggii     
Autumn sage   
Lamiaceae Family     

Form: rounded irregular shrub or perennial
Seasonality: evergreen in Tucson, treated as annual elsewhere
Size: to 3ft with equal spread

flower of Salvia greggii

Leaves: large variation, simple, elliptical, usually 1in long
Flowers: on stem terminals, spikes of trumpet-shaped, 1in flowers, color usually red, but varies; blooms intermittently from February to November
Fruit: small seed, not noticeable
Stems/Trunks: angular, new growth is lush green, old growth can be woody
Range/Origin: Chihuahuan desert
Hardiness: to single digits, some top damage may occur in teens

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• color
• attracts humming birds

leaf form

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun, gets leggy and flower production is poor in shade
• Water: drought resistant; for best ornamental quality 1-2 times weekly during hot season
• Soil: tolerant, good drainage
• Propagation: seed okay, more commonly by vegetative cuttings
• Maintenance: low, prune back drastically to encourage lush growth and good flowering

flower on white variety ("White autumn sage")

NOTES:

Salvia greggii

aka Red Chihuahuan sage, Texas red sage

can be mowed to ground to encourage soft green growth

many cultivars are available, offering differing flower colors, range is from white, pink, to various shades of red

Salvia greggii

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This page was first created July 2, 2001 and last modified May 16, 2004.

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email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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