Mexican Bush Sage Salvia leucantha 'Purple Velvet'
ABOUT
The 'Purple Velvet' variety of the Mexican bush sage presents a striking appearance with its lush, dense foliage and unique, vibrant flower spikes. The leaves of this plant are a deep green color with a velvety texture, adding a luxurious feel to the garden setting. As an ornamental feature, 'Purple Velvet' is admired for its long, arching inflorescences that emerge from the foliage, each covered in a plethora of tiny, tubular flowers. These blooms are a rich, royal purple shade, creating a bold contrast against the greenery. The flowers are often arranged in whorls around the stem, adding depth and dimension to the plant's profile. The visual appeal of 'Purple Velvet' is further enhanced by the soft, fine hairs that cover the stems and calyces, giving the plant a soft, fuzzy appearance. This combination of distinctive foliage and exuberant flowering spikes makes 'Purple Velvet' a popular choice for adding texture and color to gardens.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Mexican Bush Sage, Velvet Sage, Purple Velvet Sage.
Common names
Salvia leucantha 'Purple Velvet'.
ToxicityTo humans
Mexican bush sage, the common name for Salvia leucantha 'Purple Velvet', is not considered toxic to humans. Generally, this plant does not cause poisoning if touched or ingested. However, as with any plant material, individual reactions can vary, and it can potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested in large quantities due to the presence of different compounds found in plant tissues. Always exercise caution and consult a medical professional if accidental ingestion occurs and symptoms appear.
To pets
Mexican bush sage, which is Salvia leucantha 'Purple Velvet', is not known to be toxic to pets. However, it's always wise to discourage pets from eating plants, as they might cause mild gastrointestinal upset due to the novelty and irritation to the stomach of the animal if ingested. If your pet is showing signs of distress after eating any plant, it's best to consult a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Spread
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Salvia leucantha 'Purple Velvet', also known as Mexican Bush Sage, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are beneficial for pollination and overall garden health.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, this plant is highly drought-resistant, making it ideal for water-wise gardening and xeriscaping.
- Low maintenance: Mexican Bush Sage generally requires minimal care, with occasional pruning and watering, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Long blooming season: It produces purple and white flowers from late summer into fall, providing extended color and interest in the garden.
- Deer resistance: The plant is not favored by deer, reducing the risk of damage from wildlife browsing.
- Easy to propagate: It can be easily propagated from cuttings, allowing gardeners to expand their plantings without additional cost.
- Architectural interest: With its elongated spires of flowers and velvety foliage, it adds structural interest to garden designs.
- Landscape versatility: It can be used in borders, as a specimen plant, or in mass plantings, offering various landscaping options.
Medical Properties
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Mexican bush sage can be used as a natural dye for fabrics. Its flowers, when boiled, impart soft shades of blue, grey, or purple, depending on the mordant used.
- This plant is suitable for dried floral arrangements. Once the blooms have faded, the flower spikes can be cut and dried to retain their shape and color for long-lasting decoration.
- Mexican bush sage's dense foliage can provide a privacy screen in a garden when planted in a row or as part of a mixed hedge.
- The fuzzy texture of the plant's leaves and flowers is sometimes used in tactile sensory gardens, providing a unique feel that adds another layer of experience for visitors.
- The overall structure of the plant, when left to grow without pruning, can offer refuge and nesting opportunities for small birds and beneficial insects.
- Mexican bush sage can be used in crafting, such as making natural wreaths, where the purple flowers add a burst of color to the arrangement.
- It is effective as a companion plant in the vegetable garden, attracting pollinators which in turn help increase the yield of vegetable crops.
- The long blooming period and vibrant color make it a useful plant for themed gardens, such as 'moon gardens' where plants with white or light-colored flowers are highlighted.
- Its aromatic leaves can be used to add a fresh, pungent scent to potpourris or herbal sachets.
- When grown in large pots, Mexican bush sage can be used as a stunning and mobile element in outdoor space design, allowing for flexibility and season-specific garden layout.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Mexican Bush Sage is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Mexican Bush Sage is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Salvia is from the same family as sage, known for its healing properties and commonly used in medicine.
- Wisdom: The name 'Salvia' comes from the Latin 'salvere' meaning 'to save' or 'to heal,' implying deep knowledge and wisdom.
- Protection: Historically, sage varieties like Mexican Bush Sage have been used in rituals to offer protection against evil.
- Longevity: Due to its health-associated benefits, the plant is often symbolic of a long and healthy life.
- Purification: Similar to other sage family members, this plant is also associated with the purification of spaces when its leaves are burned.
WaterMexican Bush Sage prefers even moisture but can tolerate short periods of drought once established. During the growing season, water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1-2 gallons per plant, depending on soil type and weather conditions. In hotter, drier climates, you may need to water twice a week. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent root rot; Mexican Bush Sage does not like to sit in wet soil. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is not actively growing, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
LightMexican Bush Sage thrives in full sun, meaning it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for this plant is where it can bask in unfiltered sunlight through most of the day. If grown indoors, it should be placed in a south-facing window to ensure it receives adequate light.
TemperatureMexican Bush Sage performs best in temperatures ranging from 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. While it can survive minimal frosts, it is not frost-hardy and should be protected or brought indoors if temperatures are expected to drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature conditions are warm days and cooler nights.
PruningMexican Bush Sage should be pruned early in the spring to encourage bushiness and to maintain a tidy shape. Prune back by one third, cutting just above a set of leaves. Deadheading, or the removal of spent blooms, encourages continued flowering throughout the season. Prune heavily every few years to rejuvenate older plants. The best time for major pruning is after the last frost once new growth is spotted.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha 'Purple Velvet') thrives in well-draining soil with a mixture of loam, sand, and compost. A soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5 is ideal for this plant, promoting healthy growth and blooming.
RepottingMexican Bush Sage should typically be repotted every 1-2 years or if it has outgrown its current container, to ensure continued health and vigor.
Humidity & MistingMexican Bush Sage prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can tolerate the variable humidity conditions typically found in outdoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
For Mexican Bush Sage, ensure bright indirect light and good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, protect from harsh wind, and ensure soil drainage.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA.
Life cycleMexican Bush Sage 'Purple Velvet' starts as a seed, which when sown and given proper conditions germinates into a small seedling. The seedling gradually matures into a vegetative plant, developing a sturdy stem and characteristic velvety, green leaves. As it enters the flowering stage, it produces striking purple and white flowers, attracting pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed capsules, and once mature, the seeds are dispersed for the next generation. During the dormant period in cooler climates or the dry season in its native habitat, the plant's above-ground parts may die back, with the roots remaining alive to regenerate the following season. This life cycle can continue for several years as this perennial plant grows, flowers, sets seeds, and goes dormant periodically.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Mexican bush sage, Salvia leucantha 'Purple Velvet', is commonly propagated through stem cuttings. This method is particularly popular because it is straightforward and usually very successful. The best time to take stem cuttings is in late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. Choose healthy, non-flowering stems and cut a 3-4 inch (about 7.5-10 centimeters) length, just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves, and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone. Then, plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix and keep it moist. Place the cutting in a warm area with indirect light and high humidity. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which you can transplant the cutting to a larger pot or into the garden.
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