But, in the spring, you slowly move it back outside and take it back inside at night and itll sprout new growth from the root system. If you live in a colder climate and want to grow it as an annual, you wont have to prune anything. Contact her at linda@ifnaturecouldtalk.com. 10/25/07: What plants are similar to Mexican bush sages? 25 Types of Lavender + Growing Conditions The Mexican bush sage prefers full sun but tolerates partial sun. Pruning it in the fall could impact your plant's ability to survive the winter months. This will promote fuller growth the following spring and keep the plant looking tidy over winter. Remove damaged parts before the start of spring. I love this plant. Buckwheat(Erigonium spp): Buckwheat should not be pruned. In warmer climates, the University of Florida IFAS Extension recommends cutting back the plant as soon as it dies back with the frost in autumn. Here is a link to their website for anyone who is interested: Here's how to propagate Mexican bush sage with stem cuttings: The Mexican bush sage can freeze and experience some stem dieback in winter, but when cut back in February, new growth will emerge in spring. For many flower gardeners, attracting pollinators, like butterflies You have several ways that you can overwinter your Mexican sage plant to get a strong and healthy plant next season. Witnesses offer conflicting accounts, How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, Mars Voltas lead singer broke with Scientology and reunited with the band. Home and Garden | However, you do want to keep the watering schedule on point. For sages with very tiny leaves, like autumn sage (S. greggii and cvs., Zones 69), for instance, it would not be worth the trouble to search out the perfect leaf cluster to cut back to. Completely prune off the spent stems to avoid a tangled mess the next spring and to control pests over winter. Tulum, Mexico. Few garden perennials are as carefree as Mexican sage bush. I recently asked a plant-grower in my area if he still carried this plant, but he had discontinued it because everyone had complained that it was coming up from seed like crazy, all over their gardens . The plant can develop various infestations and fungal diseases, although you generally won't have problems with this low-maintenance bush. Using heavy-duty frost cloth will also protect your plants from high winds, but youll need to anchor the cloth securely or you could be giving your neighbors a pricey gift. Salvias can be pruned twice a year once in the late fall or early winter and once in the early spring. A fresh shoot (white stem) next to an older shoot (purple stem) If you look to the base of the plant, you'll see new shoots popping up next to the older shoots as seen above. In colder zones, keep the dead growth intact until the spring. February is a good time to cut Hair Grass back to a height of 3 inches. These zones include Florida, Texas, Arizona, Texas, and Alabama. She has lived in the Bay Area since 1988. Take the plant out of the current container and put the root ball into the hole you dug. 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. The third option is to pot up your Mexican sage and move it to the shed or garage as long as it stays just above freezing during the winter. More nurseries, including our local Cherry Valley Nursery, are now carrying them. . Deadhead, but we wait until winter so birds can forage on the seeds. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! A 2-inch-thick layer of mulch over the roots will help the soil stay moist, which will reduce the need for watering. Purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) and Cleveland and its hybrids such as Allen Chickering, Pozo Blue and Aromas can be cut back one-quarter to one-third. I recently asked a plant-grower in my area if he still carried this plant, but he had discontinued it because everyone had complained that it was coming up from seed like crazy, all over their gardens . It is so interesting. Although, classified as 7b. The plant is soft and hairy to the touch. If youre curious how to grow this plant and have it flower late in the season, read on. But I love this plant precisely because of a habit that yawns and stretches, and only cut vividly dead or dying old flower stalks. Prune frozen growth back in late winter. You can also prune or pinch back in mid- to late spring but be careful to not take off flower buds, or youll be without flowers and the beautiful red berries. The new growth these plants produce will ensure you get lots of flower spikes. Sage Plants For Gardens: Learn About Different Types Of Sage, The Truth About Xeriscaping: Common Misconceptions Exposed, Growing Salvia - Tips On Growing And Caring For Different Types Of Salvia, Beatrix Potter: Mycologist, Illustrator, And Author, Learn About Wild Peony Varieties Native To California, Cardboard Potato Planter Planting Potatoes In A Cardboard Box, Old-Fashioned Shrubs Memorable Bushes For Old-Time Gardens, Pittosporum Transplant Info: How To Transplant Pittosporum Shrubs, Clay Soil Shrubs: Are There Shrubs That Like Clay Soil Sites, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Weve found it very helpful. Generally speaking, Mexican sage is one bush youll plant for ornamental purposes, and you dont want to confuse it with culinary sage that you use for seasoning. To propagate it using cuttings, you should: Get pruning shears and cut a piece of your mature Mexican sage that has a minimum of four to five nodes or leaf stems on it. Gardeners can begin the process of growing Mexican bush sage in a wide variety of ways. You can fertilize your Mexican sage using a 12-12-12 general purpose fertilizer mix each year. This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions: On Apr 5, 2021, Mary94949 from Novato, CA wrote: This frost-tender plant grows roots easily from tender shoots placed in water. The soil should be well-drained and fertile, and you can mix in a one-inch layer of aged manure to promote healthy growth. Mexican sage requires full sun, so pick a space where it gets six to eight hours of sun each day. Temperature and Humidity. Just remove old flower stalks. Manzanitas (Arcostaphylos spp): Do not prune during cool, wet winter months because of fungus pathogens. This pruning stimulates the plant to waste energy as it produces new growth. Hard pruning can be done at the end of the season after all blooming has ceased. Avoid pruning hardy fuchsia in winter unless you live in a warm, non-freezing climate. The most pleasant . On Sep 14, 2009, sillybug5 from Hyannis, MA (Zone 7a) wrote: A real knockout, graceful plant with furry looking amazing flowers, blooming at the end of the season. The high humus content can increase the soils fertility level. Instead, prune lightly for structure in summer. I've had horrible mealy bug infestations in my garden on all my other salvias, but they don't touch this one. Youll see it growing in zones 8 to 11 because these areas have warmer weather every month of the year. As the plant grows, it may become tall or leggy. However, the following quick tips can help your plant establish itself much quicker: This woody sage plant makes a fabulous choice as a simple landscaping idea for an ornamental border in full sun. perennial plantings that will thrive all season long. Minimize the amount taken, removing dead branches periodically. They are planted in the same area so they get the same sun/water/etc. Check the soil to ensure it's dry enough or well drained if you notice yellow leaves. How to Prune a Pink Pandorea Jasminoides Rosea Plant, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service: Salvia Leucantha, Clemson Cooperative Extension: Salvias: Beautiful Additions to Garden Landscapes, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Salvias, University of Minnesota Extension: How to Properly Clean Your Garden Tools and Pots, Logee's Plants: Cultural Information--Salvia, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. How to Grow Turmeric Seeds I'm waiting for them to stop blooming so I can cut them back but it hasn't happened yet. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates, .wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-18426 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-18426 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } Hard frosts cause pineapple sage to die back to the ground. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Join us at 10 a.m. Jan. 21 for the next installment in our gardening series. This cultivar comes with dark purple flowers and a very compact growth habit. It makes a nice addition to your butterfly garden, herb garden, or pollinator garden. If it's January in the Valley and you've got a Salvia leucantha planted in your yard, there's a good chance it looks very much like this one. Keep in mind that this plant does best in zones 8b to 11. I even shared the new shoots with my mom. Dipping the blades in a 10-percent bleach solution made of 9-parts water to 1-part bleach will kill pathogens, but bleach is also extremely corrosive to metal and must be rinsed away. You can water Mexican bush sage during periods of drought longer than two weeks without significant rainfall. Plant the cuttings in a pot filled with moist potting mix and place the pot in a warm and sunny location. Mediterranean kitchen sage and its wild California cousins such as S. Clevelandii will tell you where to trim. Never cut into old growth that is larger than a pencil. My preference is to coppice it (cut it back to the ground level), as it will go winter dormant anyway, and then you will be left with mostly twigs for a while. Drought tolerant but not xeric. We are in the coldest days of the year, so its important to protect your plants, especially frost-tender ones. Prune lightly after the first flush to promote continued bloom. Prune in summer to early fall, mid-July through September. A. Ceanothus (often referred as wild lilac): Pinch and lightly prune in spring after flowering and when theyre producing active growth. My spouse and I have seen this plant grow successfully in many Southern California locations, most notably next to the Rose Garden at the South Coast Botanic Garden in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. I have trouble finding it in the spring as box stores call it a sage and get it with their herbs! The flowers are fuzzy and I cannot resist touching them! Watching the flush of flowers drying on the branch through July and August makes for too many sunset grace notes. The general rule of thumb when it comes to pruning is to prune your hardier plants in the early winter and leave the more frost-tender to the early spring. Hard prune annually to rejuvenate. Whether you order your tulip bulbs as, A 3-part lecture series in partnership with Garden Masterclass, Growing herbs from seed is an incredibly rewarding and inexpensive way to savor homegrown flavor fresh from your garden. Dormant-season pruning should be done by first frost. You can overwinter the plant indoors in a pot with good drainage and exposure to ample sunlight. Free. Pruning also diverts the expenditure of nourishment to form woody growth to that of buds and fruit. . If space demands, do this. Sure, my fingers get a little sticky, but the fragrance is one of my all-time favorites in the garden. At Home: On the meaning of home and belonging, Photos: Bay Area home prices heat up as modest 1,240-square-foot San Jose home goes above-asking for $2.5 million. Have seen hummingbirds feeding on this and have yet to see a major pest. These are new plants I got a few weeks ago from Red Barn Nursery. They report that you can use either rubbing alcohol, pine oil, a 10% . Bay Area Gardening: When to prune salvias this, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bay Area Gardening: When to prune salvias this winter, Californias native poppy is lovely, and so are these others, too, Martha Groves Perry returns to Rose Garden for another release show, Los Gatos Spring Into Green event helps Keep Los Gatos Beautiful, After the storms: UC Gardens rescue operation to save a paradise lost, Everything youve wanted to ask about growing tomatoes. White sage (Salvia apiana): White sage needs no pruning. Our maintenance needs often contradict the needs of nature, and so there is often a delicate dance going on in the garden of what to do for whose benefit. Tends to have a rather ungainly, somewhat wild appearance if allowed to grow without occasional pruning. When it comes to the soil, good drainage is the most important aspect. This free webinar takes the guesswork out of prep work for your spring garden. Pest risks include whiteflies, aphids, and spider mites. How to Grow and Care for the Cumin Plant However,. The Mexican bush sage attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and is an ideal choice for a pollinator garden. Morris started her career in 1978 as a reporter for a small New Mexico newspaper. You dont want to plant too soon and risk losing your plants to frost. Each plant type, of course, has its own pruning schedule so its always best to research the specific plant for tips on timing and how to accomplish it. early spring is often the best time. Twilight of the gas station as Rancho Cucamonga looks to alternative fuels, Human skeletal remains found by hiker in Running Springs, Cold, drizzly week ahead for Southern California, Driver in Redlands fatal train crash stopped late, then moved onto tracks, police say, Redlands Unifieds handling of sexual abuse cases under review by California justice department, Californias regulatory labyrinth makes it hard for Californians to get things done, Electric vehicle boom could turn Salton Sea into Americas Lithium Valley, Kimberly Crest House & Gardens plans Secret Garden-themed childrens tea, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is a fast growing hummingbird plant that can look raggedy by December. On Apr 1, 2012, Sandwichkatexan from Copperas Cove, TX wrote: Grows huge every season. Watering Mexican Sage. If you grow them outside, the rain is usually enough water to sustain them. This fast-growing, evergreen shrub is a popular garden plant in the Southwest. The Mexican bush sage can be propagated with cuttings taken in spring or summer. red-purple flowers in late summer and early fall. It goes well with the plants popular with bees and butterflies, such as coneflower, black-eyed Susan, and sedum. Last spring, horticulturist Lili Singer remarked to me that one of the most touching mistakes she sees made by novice dry gardeners is timidity in pruning their sages. ): Pinch young, actively growing plants to shape a dense branching structure, necessary to support the flower stocks. These salvias grow best when pruned to within six inches of the ground after flowering. Pruning in winter and spring causes an abundance of new growth near the pruning site and takes months to recover. One thing they all have in common is their attraction to bees and hummingbirds. encourage diversity of wildlife in the garden is a key aspect of creating a lush, green garden oasis. Slowly reintroduce the plant to outside during the spring, once the final frost of the season passes. Nice but not as yummy as the purple and white. Mexico's dry season spans December to April. When in bloom, the flowers are bright and fragrant, and the leaves are soft and hairy. Pruning in late summer or early fall before the first frost encourages good air circulation, which guards against rot. And pinch when young to shape. As for the calceolaria (ladys slipper) and calendrinia (rock purslane), neither plant requires pruning, although you should snip or pluck off spent blooms (deadhead) to encourage new flowers. Also, it tends to spread sideways to roughly three feet wide. However, you can leave the plant outdoors if the winter weather stays slightly above freezing temperatures. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Love them both! ", Healthy Soil Is at the Heart of a Thriving Garden, Gardening Gift Ideas for Mothers Day 2023, 6 Fantastic Annuals to Grow From Seed in the Northwest, Lilacs: How to Grow Them and Favorite Varieties, Southern California: January Garden To-Do List, Five Natives for Slope Retention in Southern California, Southern California Picks for a Drought-Tolerant Cutting Garden, Ready, Set, Spring! Use pruning shears to cut back Mexican sage to about 6 inches from the ground in late fall. The traditional tourist season hits in late winter, and in the big resorts like Acapulco and Cancn, the months from December through to April are the busiest. A better option is to wipe the blades with undiluted household disinfecting cleaner, which is effective at killing pathogens but won't harm the metal. Once it has stopped flowering and the leaves begin to yellow (a signal that winter is coming), cut the plant back 4-5 inches towards the head of the plant. Dip the bottom inch of the cutting you took into a rooting hormone and plant it into your seed tray or pot. Mexican sage is a very pretty ornamental shrub that looks like it would be a lot of work to grow and maintain, but its actually very beginner-friendly. Purchasing the plants from a reputable source will be important to ensure that new plantings in the garden are healthy and disease free. Unlike a lot of houseplants that will bloom in summer and spring only, Mexican sage will start to bloom later in the summer and well into the fall months. As blossoms fade, purple bracts linger and steal the spotlight. As a general rule, water Mexican sage every two weeks during periods of drought with little or no rainfall. Some may be affiliate links, meaning we earn commissions on purchases. Using sheets to cover them might seem like a good idea, but sheets can be problematic. One exception is white sage. It will only survive winters that don't go below 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Sasha Degnan is a freelance writer and educator specializing in gardening and horticulture. Mexican sage usually tops out between four and five feet wide at full maturity, and it has an open, soft growth habit. Prune away the previous two years of growth using pruning shears. Press down very gently on the soil around the cutting to ensure that it sits upright. Pick a spot that gets a lot of sunlight, and you want to water it right after you finish transplanting it. Mexican bush sage makes a great companion plant along with other plants that pollinators favor, such as coneflowers and sedum. Newsom: If addiction is a brain disease, where are all the doctors? When planning a dry garden or flower beds for hot, arid areas, look for shrubs that are native to your area, or plants that have proven drought tolerance from dry climate zones in South Africa or . Deadheading is the process of removing old flowers from a blooming plant to improve its appearance and prolong its blooming period. Although it comes back yearly in the southern states and along the Pacific coast, it is not winter hardy in areas that drop below freezing. Hard prune Texas sage shrubs in late winter to control the size of the shrub and improve the density of the foliage. . There are well over 900 species, of which California native sages comprise only about 2%. While you can propagate from seed, propagating via cuttings is a productive use for excess branching. Pick a good location before you do anything. I very much enjoy the process of cutting this plant back. Needs well drained soil. After a year, it will spread by root. In 2006, I had two of the all purple Salvias growing in the ground next to the driveway and he really loved seeing them every day they were in bloom. To transplant it to your garden, youll: If you think that you want to overwinter your Mexican sage but it gets far too cold for your plant to survive if you leave it outside, you have three main choices on how to overwinter it.