Salvia, Salvia, Salvia...

By Bob Fitzsimmons

Few groups of plants add as much variety to a garden as Salvia. The genuses of Salvia have the truest blues and the brightest reds of any collection of flowering perennials. If you plan and do your homework, you can have different forms of Salvia blooming from early spring right up to the first frost.

The Roman scientist and historian Piny the Elder was the first to use the Latin name Salvia. The name derives from salvare, to heal or save. The common name sage originated in England and is probably a form of the French sauge.

Salvias are members of the mint family, Lamiaceae, and comprise the largest genus in that family. Salvias are a major source of nectar for hummingbirds. Many summers I have enjoyed the show of flying acrobatics and the protective nature of a hummer guarding its prize Salvia from an invader. Many species of butterflies feed on Salvia nectar and pollen, while birds relish the nutritious seeds.

Salvias are described by their growth habit as perennials, biennials, annual herbs, or as evergreen and deciduous shrubs. Over 900 species of Salvia exist worldwide, and well over half occur in the United States. Nearly 500 Salvia species are native to Mexico, Central and South America. Texas has 20.

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) is by far the most popular shrub-like Salvia. The 3 x 3-foot semi-evergreen shrub comes in a rainbow of colors. Shades of pink, red, white, and purple bloom in the spring, summer and heavy in the fall. Hummingbirds can’t resist any of these tubular flowers.

Culinary Sage (Salvia officinalis) makes an attractive gray evergreen that loves dry limestone soils. The most popular culinary sage can reach a size of 4 x 5 feet. It is a true culinary herb that is used in sage dressing and adds a spicy flavor to meats. Compact forms are great for containers and, like the standard, present a blue-purple flower in the summer heat.

Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea) is a true Texas wildflower that blooms from spring to fall along highways and country roads throughout the South. It has light blue flowers and is available at most garden centers. A dwarf form called “Victoria Blue” and the white form “Porcelain” are smaller and more controllable than their wild brother.

Several Salvias are suitable to dry, shady locations. Mountain Sage (Salvia regla) adorns orange flowers; Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea) has red, white, and various forms of both; Cedar Sage (Salvia roemerina) reaches 2 feet, blooms red, and loves to grow under cedar trees; Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) blooms orange-red and is great for tea; Lush Red Sage (Salvia miniata) boasts lush green leaves with large, red blooms.

Fall-blooming Salvia include Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucanthia) with tall spikes of purple, Butter Yellow (Salvia madrensis), Indigo Sage (Salvia x “Indigo Spires”), Mexican (Salvia mexicana), Mexican Blue (Salvia microphlla), and (Salvia splendens).

Salvias tend to be very drought tolerant and grow rapidly in our South Texas heat. They love chalky lime soils and laugh at water restrictions. Did I forget to mention that all the Salvias are deer resistant? Since Salvia are in the mint family, they are easily propagated by cuttings and grow like weeds when happy.

Many nurseries carry several different Salvias and usually want to know more about new varieties. Ask your local garden center about Salvias, and plant several kinds for a variety of color throughout the growing season.