Plant of the Month – Autumn Sage
Plant Description:
Autumn Sage is a small, fragrant, mounding shrub with long-blooming red, pink, orange, salmon, or white flowers followed by small, nut-like seeds. This lovely plant is quite easy to grow and thrives in garden borders, xeriscapes, rain gardens, or containers. Autumn Sage is native to Texas and Mexico. The flowers are edible, and the leaves have a mint-like aroma and have been used as a flavoring for tea. Autumn Sage is perennial in zones 7-9, and blooms non-stop from early spring through fall.
Propagation & Planting:
Most importantly, Autumn Sage will not tolerate wet clay soil. This plant thrives in dry, rocky, well-drained soil and prefers full sun. Because Autumn Sage needs little water, it is best to keep it away from automatic sprinklers. The plant can be propagated from seeds, which may be taken from the dried seed pods after the flowers fade. A new plant may also be grown from cuttings dipped in rooting hormone, planted in moist growing medium, and planted after new roots have developed.
Plant Care:
Once established, Autumn Sage thrives with very little care, especially when planted in well-draining soil and located where it will receive full sun.
Fertilize:
Autumn Sage does not require fertilizer. In fact, fertilizer can quickly kill this plant.
Prune:
The dead-heading of spent flowers encourages more blooms. Autumn Sage may be pruned heavily in August and again in late winter in order to maintain an attractive, mounded shape.
Pest & Disease:
There are no insect pests or diseases common to Autumn Sage.
To learn more about Autumn Sage, read the complete plant profile on PlantTAGG by clicking here: https://m.planttagg.com/#/public/details?key=4SAJMBA31FXVHAAZE4PZEC8OIDD
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Common Name: Autumn Sage, Cherry Sage, Gregg Salvia
Botanical Name: Salvia greggii
Category: Shrub
Lifecycle: Perennial
USDA Symbol: SAGR4
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7A – 9B
Sun: Full Sun (6+ hours of sun per day)
Water: Low
Soil: Loam
pH: Slightly Alkaline (7.4-7.8)
Height: 2 to 3 ft
Spread: 2 to 3 ft
Spacing: 2 to 3 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate
Bloom Time: Seasonal
Bloom Color(s): White, Red, Pink, Orange
Leaf Shape: Obovate
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Retention: Semi-Evergreen