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Salvia involucrata 'Boutin'
Salvia involucrata 'Boutin'
Salvia involucrata 'Boutin'

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Salvia involucrata 'Boutin'

(Boutin Roseleaf Sage) Boutin means "button" in French. Perhaps the creamy, mulberry pink flowers of Salvia involucrata 'Boutin' looked cute as buttons to whoever named the cultivar.

Common name This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion. Boutin Roseleaf Sage
USDA Zones The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average. 8 - 10
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height. 60"/48"/72"
Exposure This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates. Full sun to partial shade
Soil type This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage. Well drained & rich
Water needs Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface. Average
Container plant? "Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant. Yes
Hummingbird plant? Hummingbirds have been observed regularly feeding from this plant's flowers. Yes
Mature height The mature height of this plant in average conditions. 5 to 6 feet
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions. 5 to 6 feet
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  • Salvia involucrata 'Boutin'
Degree of Difficulty
Easy
Degree of Difficulty
This plant is easy to grow in a variety of conditions.
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(Boutin Roseleaf Sage) "Boutin" means "button" in French, and the creamy, mulberry pink flowers of Salvia involucrata 'Boutin' do look cute as buttons.

However, this cultivar most likely is named for former Huntington Gardens botanist Fred Boutin whose horticultural legacy includes hybridization of the popular Salvia guaranitica 'Purple Majesty'. Boutin is also an heirloom rose specialist, so it seems fitting that a Roseleaf Sage would be named for him.

In 1793, the species gained its scientific name from Antonio José Cavanilles, a Spanish cleric and tutor to the children of royalty as well as a self-taught botanist. Cavanilles served as director of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Madrid from 1801 until his death in 1804.

Involucrata is Latin and refers to pink, leaf-like bracts that protect the flower's petals. Bracts sometimes are difficult to differentiate from petals due to being the same color. However, Boutin Roseleaf Sage is notable for burgundy bracts and stems.

Despite this plant's common name, it isn't its heart-shaped leaves that remind the viewer of a rose. It's the tightly furled buds. That's why Rosebud Sage is another name for the species.

This is a subshrub, which means that it combines the soft herbaceous growth of a perennial with the woody growth of a shrub.

Similar to other sages in the Roseleaf group, Boutin grows well either in full sun or partial shade. Give it rich, well-drained soil similar to garden loam and average supplemental watering if local rainfall is insufficient. This is a water-loving sage and can be a solution -- as long as soil drainage is good -- for Salvia gardens where rainfall is plentiful.

Boutin Roseleaf Sage charms hummingbirds, but deer aren't attracted to it even if the yummy looking flowers are cute as rosebud buttons.