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Shrubs

Salvia greggii

autumn sage

A bushy dwarf plant to 30-50cm tall, branching mainly from the base and evergreen if not cut back by frosts, with aromatic, small, ovate, downy, mid to deep green leaves. Red to purple, pink, yellow or violet flowers are borne in terminal racemes from late summer to autumn continuing to the first frosts

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Mexico, adjacent USA

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Needs a sheltered position but usually overwinters if given full sun and good drainage. Drought tolerant

Propagation

Propagate by basal cuttings or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or autumn with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 9 in spring, deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers, slugs, snails and rosemary beetle

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots

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