{"product_id":"salvia-leucantha","title":"Salvia leucantha","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMexican Bush Sage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eSalvia leucantha\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lamiaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mexico \u0026amp; Central America\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA show-stopping, long-flowering salvia perfectly suited to Adelaide’s warm, dry Mediterranean climate, \u003cem data-start=\"577\" data-end=\"595\"\u003eSalvia leucantha\u003c\/em\u003e is famous for its velvety purple and white bicolour flower spikes that appear from late summer through autumn, often lingering into early winter. Soft, arching stems and silvery-green foliage give it a graceful, textural presence in the garden, making it ideal for borders, cottage plantings, pollinator gardens and low-water landscapes. The foliage is lightly aromatic when brushed and may develop stronger silvery tints during dry summers or in exposed coastal conditions. Tough, heat-loving and low-maintenance once established, it thrives across South Australia in free-draining soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8–1.2 m H × 0.8–1.2 m W (arching, fountain-like form)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25–40 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft, grey-green to silvery-green leaves; lightly aromatic; foliage may silver further in heat, dryness or coastal exposure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, velvety purple calyces with white (or soft lavender) flowers from late summer–late autumn; strongest display in early–mid autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers not fragrant; foliage has a soft herbal aroma when touched\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late-summer to autumn floral display with velvety spikes → evergreen to semi-evergreen silver foliage through winter → fresh green growth in spring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent nectar plant for bees, butterflies and honeyeaters; provides reliable late-season forage when many plants have finished flowering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; excellent heat tolerance; wind-tolerant; coastal-tolerant (second-line); light frost hardy but may defoliate or tip-burn in severe SA frosts, regrowing in spring; dislikes waterlogged soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–4 plants per m² for mass planting; 60–80 cm spacing in borders; suitable for large (35–45 cm) pots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-toxic to cats and dogs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun essential for strongest flowering; tolerates very light part shade but blooms reduce\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining sandy or loamy soils; performs well in Adelaide’s neutral-to-alkaline soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; minimal watering in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut back spent flower stems to prolong bloom; prune hard (to 20–30 cm) in late winter to refresh growth and maintain a tidy shape; avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–10+ years in well-drained soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate SA — Adelaide Plains, foothills, Fleurieu, Yorke Peninsula, coastal suburbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neutral to alkaline; tolerates slightly acidic soils if free-draining\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLate-season colour anchor in cottage, Mediterranean or mixed perennial borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect for pollinator gardens needing abundant autumn nectar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent in waterwise plantings with Artemisia, Gaura, Catmint, Lavandula, Pennisetum and other silver or soft-textured plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking feature in alfresco planters or along pathways where the velvety blooms can be appreciated up close\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeautiful backdrop plant to lower salvias such as ‘Caribbean Blue’ or ‘So Cool Purple’\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"3909\" data-end=\"3927\"\u003eSalvia leucantha\u003c\/em\u003e brings dramatic, velvety purple-and-white blooms just when the garden begins to wind down. Heat-loving, drought-tolerant and adored by pollinators, it adds height, texture and long-lasting colour to Adelaide gardens with remarkably little care.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48601317343484,"sku":"SALV-LEUC-140MM","price":14.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/salvia-leucantha-mexican-bush-sage-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1765594649","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/salvia-leucantha","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}