Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)

Autumn Sage, Red Chihuahuan Sage, Texas Sage

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Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) is a perennial, flowering shrub that grows from 61 to 91 cm tall. The flowers, typically red, can also be found in white, pink, orange, or purple. This disease and insect free plant is drought tolerant and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Perfect as a colorful, low-growing hedge.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Salvia greggii, the autumn sage, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to a long, narrow area from southwest Texas, through the Chihuahuan Desert and into the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, typically growing in rocky soils at elevations from 5,000 to 9,000 ft (1,500 to 2,700 m). It was named and described in 1870 by botanist Asa Gray after Josiah Gregg (1806 – 1850), a merchant, explorer, naturalist, and author from the American Southwest and Northern Mexico, who found and collected the plant in Texas. It is closely related to, and frequently hybridizes with, Salvia microphylla. Despite the common name “autumn sage”, it blooms throughout the summer and autumn.

Salvia greggii is a highly variable plant, with numerous named cultivars, reaching anywhere from 1 to 4 ft (0.30 to 1.22 m) in height and less in width. It can be either upright or mounding. The leaves are typically mid-green and glabrous, tending to be less than 1 in (2.5 cm) long, and with a spicy fragrance. Flower size and color are extremely variable. Flowers reach from .25 to 1 in (0.64 to 2.54 cm) in length, and include many shades of scarlet and red (most common in the wild), along with rose, white, pink, lavender, apricot, and violet.

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Autumn sage prefers full sun. Ensure at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for better blooms. Most varieties can also tolerate a partially shady environment, although they show less dense growth and fewer flowers are likely to bloom. However, strong sunlight all day may burn the leaves of some varieties, so a little shade may be required in these cases.

Temperature and Humidity

Native to southern Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico, this type of salvia is tolerant to heat, humidity, and drought. Autumn sage is generally hardy to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures can be damaging or deadly to the plants. Autumn sage often remains evergreen through the winter in warmer climates (zones 8 and 9) but is usually deciduous in zones 6 and 7.

Watering

Water regularly after planting. Once established, plants require only average watering—no more than 1 inch per week. Do not overwater; in many regions, rainfall is enough.

Like most types of salvia, autumn sage does not do well with excess moisture. If your garden soil does not meet this need, consider planting in a container or a xeriscape landscape.

Soil

Fertilizing

In rich or clay soils, autumn sage requires no fertilizer. As a light feeder, autumn sage will benefit from the addition of a little compost in poor soil. You can also add some slow-release fertilizer when planting. Take care not to add too much fertilizer, however, as this will cause them to grow too rapidly and flop over.

Planting Instructions

The majority of autumn sage species begin flowering in the summer and continue flowering all the way through to mid-autumn. When growing from seed, autumn sage should be sown early in the growing season like spring to ensure that plants have time to establish themselves and flower before the arrival of frosts, later in the year. You can sow the seeds directly in the garden or, for early blooms, sow seeds indoors and transplant the new plants into the garden in early spring.

However, if you have bought a potted autumn sage, you can choose to plant it either during the spring or the autumn. Although the autumn may seem to be an unlikely time to plant autumn sage, this is, in fact, a brilliant time of year for gardeners to get ahead before the next growing season. Autumn is an ideal time for planting or separating sage, not only to extend the flowering season in your garden but also to provide the plant with the opportunity to establish a healthy root system before its winter dormancy, so it is ready to burst into life the following spring.

Be sure to give autumn sage plenty of space when positioning it in the garden, allowing for its tall and colorful blooms. If you are planting a tender variety of autumn sage, such as Salvia coccinea ‘Lady in Red’, it may be better suited to a container that can be easily moved to a sheltered position, to avoid frost damage during the winter. In addition, gardeners in cooler regions may also like to consider treating tender varieties of autumn sage that prefer warmer climates as annuals, rather than as typical perennials.

Pruning

An early-season shearing that removes about one-third of the stem length will cause the bush to become very dense and full, though it does slightly delay the first blooms.

During the growing season, individual branches can be trimmed back to the main stems to keep the shrub full and nicely shaped. At the end of the growing season, it’s best to severely prune the shrub back to just above ground level, which encourages quick and robust regrowth the following spring.

Propagation

Autumn sage is best propagated through softwood cuttings or root divisions. Stem cuttings or divisions will often produce flowering plants in their first year.

Here’s how to propagate autumn sage through softwood cuttings:

  • In late summer or fall, use sharp pruners to cut 3- to 4-inch cuttings from the tips of actively growing (but non-flowering) stems. Remove all but the top two leaves from each cutting.
  • Fill 4-inch pots with a mixture of ordinary potting mix and sand or vermiculite. Dip the ends of the cuttings in rooting hormone and plant them in the pots.
  • Water the cuttings thoroughly, and place each pot in a loosely secured plastic bag to hold in humidity and moisture.
  • Place the pots in a bright not sunny location at about 68 degrees Fahrenheit until they develop roots—usually three weeks or so.
  • Remove the pots from the bags and continue to grow the new plants in a sunny location through the winter. Your new autumn sage plants can be transplanted into the garden in spring once daytime temperatures are reliably at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

How to propagate through root division:

  • Divide roots in early spring as the overwintered stems are just beginning to unfurl their leaves.
  • Dig up the entire root ball with a shovel.
  • Carefully divide the root ball into quarters with a disinfected sharp knife or trowel.
  • Immediately replant the divisions into new locations.

Keep newly planted divisions well-watered until they are established and actively growing.

Potting and Repotting

Though it’s not common, growing autumn sage in a container on a patio or deck is perfectly possible. Make sure to use a gritty, well-draining potting mix (potting mix blended with sand is a common formula) and a large pot with good drainage holes. But this is not a successful houseplant that adapts well to moving back and forth between indoor and outdoor locations.

Pests and Diseases

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Being nearly disease-free and fond of dry conditions, the autumn sage plant is easy to maintain with no serious issues, but there are a handful of pests to watch out for:

  • Leafhoppers are tiny insects that may create small white or yellow spots on the leaves of autumn sage. The best solution is to use a horticultural soap; chemical pesticides can also control leafhoppers.
  • Slugs and snails will arrive to feed if the ground is covered with too much moist mulch or plant debris. Autumn sage likes relatively dry conditions, which discourages these pests.
  • Rosemary beetles feed on leaves, creating ragged holes. They are best hand-picked off the plants, but if you are squeamish about handling bugs, you can use pesticides to kill them. Remember, though, that chemical pesticides will also kill garden pollinators.
  • Whiteflies and aphids can also be a problem with autumn sage; they are easily controlled with horticultural oils and soaps.

Few plant diseases affect autumn sage, but crown rot can occur if the plant is struggling in poorly draining dense soil. This plant is especially resentful of wet winter conditions.

Common Problems With Autumn Sage

Autumn sage is a largely problem-free plant, but you may notice the following issues:

Leaves Turn Yellow

While there can be a temptation to water frequently during hot spells, these plants don’t tolerate more than about 1 inch of water per week. If you have regular rainfall, additional irrigation is usually not necessary at all. Too much water often results in yellowing leaves.

Leaves Turn Brown, Fall Off

In very hot climates, autumn sage plants can burn if they receive too much direct sunlight. Prolonged temps above 110 degrees Fahrenheit can burn out plants, and in such a climate it is best to grow autumn sage where it gets some shade during the heat of the afternoon.

Wilting Leaves and Stems

Autumn sage may wilt if it is overwatered—or if it is watered heavily at the wrong time of day. It’s best to water in the morning—not in the afternoon, when quick evaporation can raise humidity levels around the plant, causing wilting.

III. Uses and Benefits 

Autumn sage is valued for its colorful and persisting blooms which attract hummingbirds. Perfect for use in a cottage garden or rock garden, it prefers well-draining and rocky soils with bright lighting conditions. However, keep away from heavy foot traffic as its stems are delicate.

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) Details

Common name

Autumn Sage, Red Chihuahuan Sage, Texas Sage

Botanical name

Salvia greggii

Family

Lamiaceae

Species

greggii

Origin

Texas

Life cycle

Plant type

Hardiness zone

, , ,

Sunlight

Maintenance

Soil condition

Drainage

Growth rate

Spacing

12 in. – 3 ft.

Flowering period

Height

2 ft. – 3 ft.

Width

2 ft. – 3 ft.

Flower color

Leaf color

Fruit type

Leaf benefit

Flower benefit

Garden style

Uses

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