Salvia greggii or Autumn sage

Care of the plant Salvia greggii or Autumn sage

The genus Salvia, family Lamiaceae, comprises 1,000 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants native to Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean region, and Central and South America. Some species are: Salvia greggii, Salvia farinacea, Salvia disermas, Salvia canariensis, Salvia aurea, Salvia apiana, Salvia africana, Salvia scabra, Salvia lanceolata, Salvia leucantha, Salvia guaranitica, Salvia namaensis, Salvia microphylla, Salvia mexicana, Salvia splendens, Salvia vaseyi, Salvia leucophylla, Salvia sclarea, Salvia mellifera, Salvia nemorosa, Salvia officinalis, Salvia fruticosa, Salvia elegans.

Common names: Autumn sage, Red Chihuahuan Sage, Texas Sage. This species is native to Mexico and Texas.

They are relatively fast growing aromatic perennial herbaceous plants that reach 60 cm (1.96 feet) in height. The leaves are small, narrow and green in color. The interesting flowers, up to 2.5 cm (0.98") long, are red, pink, white, lavender, purple or orange, depending on the variety. They bloom from late spring to early fall.

They are used on rockeries, as isolated specimens, on dry and sunny slopes and to form groups at a rate of 4 plants per square meter.

Salvia greggii needs very sunny exposure and warm temperatures. They resist frost up to -12 ºC (10.4 ºF).

They can grow in poor, rocky or sandy soils as long as the drainage is good. Planting is done in early spring.

They are very resistant to drought; water occasionally in summer always waiting for the soil to be completely dry. The rest of the year they stay with the rains.

It's better not to fertilize.

Prune lightly after flowering to favor the appearance of new flowers in the following season.

They are plants very resistant to pests but sensitive to excess humidity.

They are propagated from seeds sown in spring in a slightly damp sandy substrate.