Mirage Violet Mexican Sage

Mirage Violet Mexican Sage (Salvia greggii 'Mirage Violet') is a low, compact salvia 30cm high and 40cm wide, with mid purple flowers from early spring to late autumn. It is particularly heat tolerant, frost tolerant once established, and packs strong depth of colour into a very small plant.

Why you'll love it

• Strong colour in a small plant. The mid purple flowers have real depth, and they stand out against the green mound beneath them.
• Heat and cold tolerant. It copes with hot summers, and tolerates frost once established, so it travels well across climates.
• Flowers across the warm months. The blooms start in early spring and carry on to late autumn.
• A simple routine. Water it, give it a monthly feed in the growing season and clip it back after flowering. It asks little else.
• Bees and butterflies. Both visit the flowers, which makes it a useful small plant for any pollinator planting.

Where it works best

Borders and edging. Plant 40cm apart along the front of a bed. The neat mounds join into a low band of purple.

Patio pots and tubs. Its compact size suits containers on a sunny deck, where the colour is at eye level.

Hot, sunny positions. A sunny bed beside a path, drive or wall suits this heat tolerant plant, and it keeps flowering when more delicate plants flag.

Growing Mirage Violet Mexican Sage in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It is heat tolerant and tolerates frost once established, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Mulch in winter to keep the soil warm.

Soil. Light, free draining soil is best. On heavy clay raise the planting area or use a pot.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. After that a regular drink and a monthly feed keep it flowering. In spring a slow release fertiliser helps, and a seaweed tonic gives a boost in the summer heat.

Pruning. Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh growth and more flowers. A light shear is enough for such a small plant.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Mirage Violet Mexican Sage as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. 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. The 140mm pots give a more established plant for an instant edge.

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
• Plants for pots and tubs
• Plants for bees and butterflies
• Perennial plants for a cottage garden

Common questions

When does Mirage Violet flower?

From early spring to late autumn. It is one of the longest flowering small salvias, and a clip after flowering encourages more.

How much care does it need?

Very little. Regular water until established, a monthly feed and a trim after flowering are the whole routine.

Is it cold hardy?

It tolerates frost once established. Mulch over winter to keep the soil warm, and give young plants a sheltered position.