Mexican Bush Sage
Salvia leucantha
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Mexican Bush Sage - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Mexican Bush Sage highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer, Fall

Growing Zones 7-10
Large flowering shrubs with fragrant leaves and showy blooms, the Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is an eye-catching, highly desirable garden plant! The soft leaves - and we literally mean 'soft' because touching them is like petting a bunny - are silver-grey! The lance-shaped leaves grace these plants from top to bottom and are wonderfully aromatic.
Sometimes called Velvet Sage, these Perennial Salvias are almost shrub-like in hot climates and are loved not only due to their great texture but also their 3-4 foot tall size that can grow 2-3 feet wide, there's more that makes them superstars!
For a one-two punch of beauty, they are covered in gracefully drooping racemes of lovely amethyst-purple blooms from late summer to the first frost. These gorgeous flowers stand out across the garden and attract butterflies and Hummingbirds like nobody's business!
Planting and Application:
In mild winter areas of USDA planting zones 7 to 10, these are evergreen shrubs and everywhere else throughout USDA planting zones 3-6, these are prolific annuals. They will grow their full size in one season in most locations! Pot up on a large planter in a sunny porch or patio, or as a large and expressive specimen in a large urn in the Cottage border!
These South American natives look great with finely textured silver Artemisia, rusty red Ornamental Grasses, or bold blue-green Agaves. They work massed in big beds or lined up along a border where you can see and enjoy them from your patio.
Mexican Bush Sage is one of the most versatile plants on the market. It will fit into just about any garden style and will probably even steal the show! Use as fast-growing hedges, backdrops, and large planter specimens. An impressive specimen among the sun garden perennials, Rose borders, and along sunny walkways as a fragrant encouragement to continue down the garden path.
- Stunning Cool-Toned Amethyst Flowers
- Soft Fuzzy Fragrant Silver-Grey Foliage
- Must-Haves For Pollinator Gardens & Hummingbirds
- Pretty Cut Flowers
- Large Specimens, Backdrops, Hedges, Annuals in Cooler Climates & Container Plants
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Perennial Bush Sage prefers a full-sun location for the best growth and the most blooms, even in hot growing zones. Not particular on soil type, Sage does best in rich soil, as long as it does not get soggy. Provide regular water for new plants, and plant in a moist, well-drained soil location. Salvia are xeric plants and only need supplemental moisture during extended periods of heat and drought. Top-dress these shrubby perennials with a 3-4 inch layer of mulch to protect the roots from chill
Salvia is a woody herbaceous perennial that looks best if the mounds of greenery are cut back in the late winter or early spring. Keep those pretty blooms popping until fall with regular deadheading. These clumping perennials appreciate being divided every 3-5 years to keep them growing stress-free.
- Full Sun Lover
- Easy to Care For & Any Well-Drained Soil
- Moderate to Low Moisture Needs
- Prune Back Late Winter or Early Spring
- Deadhead To Encourage New Blooms Spring til Fall
- Easy to Grow Plants & Deer Tend to Leave Them Alone
A fountain of beautiful blooms from summer to frost! The touchably soft foliage and pretty amethyst flowers are the highlights of the hot climate landscape! Order yours today at Nature Hills Nursery!