Specializing in Salvia plants - Ornamental, Medicinal & Culinary Sage

Members of the Autumn and Mountain Sages are among the most widely planted Salvias. This includes their hybrids, such as the various elegant S. x jamensis varieties, which include many bicolors and occur when an S.greggii crosses with S. microphylla. There are also varieties of S. greggii and S. microphylla that have hybridized with other Salvia species. In this Category we include all types that have S. greggii or S. microphylla in their parentage, as well as several very closely related species.

Popularity of the S. greggii-S. microphylla group is due, in part, to abundant flowers and wide variety of colors - lavenders, magentas, pinks, purples, reds, whites and dramatic-to-delicate bicolors. The drought tolerance and ability of these shrubs to adapt to a broad range of USDA plant hardiness zones are also highly valued. These flowering machines cause color to flourish in a surprising range of altitudes. They thrive in the semi-arid, mountainous settings of their homelands in the Southwest and Northern Mexico as well as in more humid coastal landscapes.

Despite its common name, S. greggii flowers from Summer through Autumn. Although it tolerates some shade, it prefers long hours of sunshine, dry ground and open space - unlike S. microphylla, which can take more shade and moisture.

Another major distinction between the two species is that S. microphylla begins flowering in Spring, takes Summer off and resumes its show of blossoms in Autumn. S. x jamensis naturally shares parental characteristics. As with S. microphylla, it enjoys a shady road bank. Yet similar to S. greggii, S. x jamensis thrives when not crowded.

Differences appear in foliage as well. The tiny, spear-shaped leaves of S. greggii are much smaller and smoother than the crinkly, heavily veined foliage of S. microphylla. However, it may be the commonalities of the genus that gardeners enjoy most about S. greggii, S. microphylla and their offspring. Similar to the majority of Salvias, they are fragrant and their vivid tubular flowers are alluring to hummingbirds.

There are hundreds of different varieties of Autumn and Mountain Sage in the nursery trade. We continually evaluate new varieties, and offer to you here the very best. All are good growers, have exceptional color and will bring joy into your garden.

Many of these are hardy to 10° F. or less, making them important additions to cool winter areas. All are tough, drought resistant and absolute flowering machines. And the vast majority are among the best of all hummingbird plants.

We include here five distinct types:

Salvia greggii or Autumn Sage Salvia microphylla or Mountain Sage Salvia x jamensis, hybrids between S. greggii and S. microphylla Closely related species, all similar in appearance and culture Miscellaneous hybrids that are dominated by these genetics