Mexican Bush Sage

Showy, Tough, Monarch-Ready, and an Official Texas Superstar®!

Mexican Bush Sage is one of those plants that looks spectacular but demands little in return. Adapted to Texas, it’s a long-blooming perennial that’s become a Texas garden favorite. From late summer through frost, it explodes with arching wands of velvety purple and white (or sometimes all-purple) blooms, drawing in hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. It’s especially valuable in the fall, when nectar is scarce, providing late-season forage for migrating Monarchs.

This sage is heat-loving, drought tolerant once established, and deer resistant — making it as practical as it is beautiful. Its fuzzy foliage and stems add texture even when not in bloom, and it mixes seamlessly with ornamental grasses, lantanas, and other late-summer perennials.

Care is simple: cut it back to about 3–4 inches after the last frost in spring to encourage vigorous new growth. No special fertilizer is needed, and it’s rarely bothered by pests or disease.

Varieties Useful in Austin

• ‘Santa Barbara’ – Compact (2–3ft H), with deep purple blooms and a dense, tidy habit. Excellent for smaller beds or containers.
• ‘Midnight’ – All-purple flowering form with a richer, velvety tone; slightly taller, dramatic presence in the landscape.
• ‘Velour Pink’ – Striking pink-and-white blooms for a softer color palette; similar in size to the species.
• Standard Green-leaf Form – The widely available type with purple calyces and white flowers; reliable, vigorous, and highly attractive to pollinators.

Plant Specs

Mature Size: 3-4ft H, 3-6ft W (mounding, arching habit)
Light Requirement: Full Sun to Light Shade (best bloom in 6+ hours of direct sun)
Water Need: Low to Medium. Moderate water to establish, then low water needs once established.
Soil: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates rocky or sandy soils.
Cold Hardiness: Zone 8a (10 to 15 °F) to Zone 11 (above 40 °F). In Austin, it may die back to the ground in winter but reliably resprouts in spring.n of oak varieties, get expert planting advice, and find the perfect tree for your landscape and plant a gift for generations to come!