Salvia leucantha Santa Barbara - Dwarf Mexican Sage
Salvia leucantha Santa Barbara is a new take on an old standard for the drought tolerant garden. The Santa Barbara Mexican Sage is intermediate in flower color between the white and purple and the purple Midnight cultivars but about half the size. Salvia leucantha does poorly in heavy soils unless the plants are allowed to dry out between irrigation cycles. The Santa Barbara Mexican Sage grows to 3-4 feet tall and slowly spreads a few inches each way each season. Salvia leucantha Santa Barbara does best in full sun but will still bloom in light to moderate shade. I cut the plants nearly to the ground in late Fall or early Winter when the plants start too look too ragged. I often do this in stages if the hummingbirds are using this late bloomer so they will still have something to eat from the garden. Salvia leucantha Santa Barbara is a great nectar source for the Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, White Checkered Skipper, and the California Dogface Butterfly and is a nice addition to the Butterfly Garden. as well as the hummingbird garden. The plants will be frosted to the ground when temperatures drop into the mid 20°s F. Salvia leucantha Santa Barbara will survive in the ground when well mulched through the low to mid teens.
Flowers and foliage of Salvia leucantha Santa Barbara, Dwarf Mexican Sage. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.
Mexican Sage varieties featured on this site:
Salvia leucantha
Salvia leucantha Danielle's Dream
Salvia leucantha Midnight
Salvia leucantha Santa Barbara
Salvia leucantha White Mischief