Reference specimenAccession  SKU-00723

Salvia puberula

Downy Sage

At a glance
Type
Shrub
Hardiness
USDA Zones 8–10
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 3–6 Feet · Spread 3–4 Feet
Growth rate
Fast
Seasonality
Semi-Evergreen
A plant Woodlanders once offered on our catalogue

This variety is no actively in production in our propagation house and may not return to our catalogue. We maintain this page purely for reference and archival purposes. If you would like to grow this plant, tell us. Your interest helps guide what we bring back.

For a larger installation or commercial project, write hello@woodlanders.net.

Salvia puberula, the downy sage, is a big, late-flowering Mexican sage grown for tall spikes of deep magenta-pink flowers that open when the year is nearly done. The blooms are large, nearly four inches long, gathered in showy clusters atop the spikes, and the color is rich and saturated, glowing at a season when little else is in flower. The spikes cut well for the vase.

Native to the mountains of northeastern Mexico, in Nuevo Leon, the plant builds a large, soft-leaved shrub, to six feet high and four wide, clothed in light green leaves covered in fine velvety hairs. The species name puberula points to that downy texture, which gives the whole plant a soft, matte quality even out of bloom.

Timing is the thing to know. Downy sage blooms very late, from October into winter, so the plant is at its best in the Deep South and other mild-winter gardens where frost holds off long enough for the display. Where the season is long enough, the late magenta spikes are a gift to hummingbirds wintering in warm country, along with the last bees of the year.

Site Salvia puberula in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil that is neither poor nor rich, at the back of a warm border, in a subtropical planting, or in a large container that can be sheltered where winters bite. Give room for the tall frame, pair with other late salvias and warm-climate perennials, and, in cold-prone gardens, grow the plant in a pot to carry the buds through under cover. A collector's late-season sage for the patient, warm-garden gardener.

Design Notes

Grow Salvia puberula for the very late show, at the back of a warm, sunny to lightly shaded border, in a subtropical planting, or in a large container. The plant flowers so late, from fall into winter, that the display belongs to the Deep South and other mild-winter gardens; where early freezes are likely, grow the plant in a pot to carry the buds through under cover. Give well-drained soil that is neither poor nor rich, room for the tall frame, and pair with other late salvias and warm-climate perennials. A patient gardener's plant, and a deep magenta finale for the season.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Big, deep magenta-pink flowers nearly four inches long in showy clusters atop tall spikes, opening very late, from fall into winter.

Flower. Large, deep magenta-pink flowers, nearly four inches long, gathered in showy clusters atop tall spikes. Bloom comes very late, from October into winter, and draws hummingbirds and the last bees of the season; the spikes cut well.

Foliage. Light green leaves covered in fine velvety hairs, giving the plant a soft, matte, downy texture that earns the name puberula.

Habit. A large, soft-leaved shrub, to six feet high and four wide.

Care

Light. Full sun to part shade.

Soil. Well-drained soil of moderate fertility, neither poor nor rich.

Water. Average water; water through dry spells and ease off in winter.

Pruning. Cut the old growth back in late winter once flowering has finished.

Hardiness. USDA Zones 8 to 10, best where autumn frosts hold off long enough for the very late flowers; grow in a container to shelter in colder gardens.