Meigan's Magic Mexican Sage

Meigan's Magic Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha 'Meigan's Magic') is a large, fast growing, rounded salvia about 1.4m high and wide in flower. Long stems of white flowers rise from dark purple blue calyces, held clear of soft grey green leaves for a showy display. It began as a chance hybrid in a South Australian garden and blooms from spring to late autumn.

Why you'll love it

• A dramatic two tone flower. Near black purple calyces and stems carry crisp white petals, and the contrast looks like a scatter of stars along each spike.
• A very long season. Flower stems keep coming from spring to late autumn, long after many perennials have finished.
• Fast and full. It grows quickly into a big, bushy mound, reaching about chest height in flower, so it fills a gap in a season or two.
• Loves sun and heat. It is sun loving and heat tolerant, and it seems to cope with frost better than the Mexican sage it descends from, although a sheltered spot is still appreciated.
• Busy with pollinators. Bees and butterflies visit the long flower spikes all season.

Where it works best

Mixed borders and cottage gardens. Plant 1.2m apart at the back of a bed. The arching stems merge into a soft, flowering mass within a couple of seasons.

Wildlife gardens. A long run of nectar from spring to late autumn keeps bees and butterflies returning to the same spot.

Entrances and courtyards. White flowers show up well at dusk, so one plant beside a gate or a garden seat makes a feature.

Growing Meigan's Magic Mexican Sage in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It comes from subtropical and tropical Mexico, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens best. It is more frost tolerant than the species, but a sheltered spot is appreciated.

Soil. It tolerates most soil types, and grows best on moist, well drained loam. Add compost to poor soil at planting time.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. Feed in spring and autumn with a controlled release fertiliser to keep it looking its best.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to keep the plant bushy. In a colder climate, wait and prune in spring as new growth begins. Mulch to support fresh flowering stems.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Meigan's Magic Mexican Sage as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants travel upright and settle fast. Plant out soon after delivery, water in well and mulch the soil. It starts small, but fast growth means it soon looks like a mature plant.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our salvia range
• More bee and butterfly friendly plants
• Other flowering plants
• Perennial plants for a cottage garden

Common questions

How big does Meigan's Magic grow?

About 1.4m high and 1.4m wide in flower, which is roughly chest height. Give it space at the back of a bed.

Is it frost tolerant?

It seems to cope with frost better than the Mexican sage it descends from, but it still prefers a sheltered position. In colder districts, delay pruning until spring as new growth begins.

Where did the plant come from?

It appeared as a chance hybrid in a South Australian garden. One parent is almost certainly Salvia leucantha, the Mexican bush sage, which explains its similar leaves and flower shape.