Velour Purple Mexican Sage

Velour Purple Mexican Sage (Salvia leucantha 'Velour Purple') is a compact, fast growing sage about 1m high and 1m to 1.2m wide. Slender stems carry deep, rich purple flowers over a mound of soft grey green leaves from summer through autumn, with plenty of nectar for bees and butterflies. Its parent species holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Why you'll love it

• Deep, rich purple. The flowers are a dark, saturated purple that holds its colour against the pale grey green leaves.
• Velvet leaves. Soft, grey green foliage forms a tidy mound that looks good even between flushes of flower.
• Summer to autumn colour. It blooms right through summer and autumn, long after spring flowers have finished.
• Plenty of nectar. Slender stems of tubular flowers are full of nectar, so bees and butterflies visit all season.
• Quick and compact. It reaches around 1m without the bulk of a large shrub.

Where it works best

Cottage gardens and mixed borders. Plant 90cm apart in the middle or back of a bed. Purple pairs well with silver foliage, white flowers and yellow daisies.

Containers. A large pot of Velour Purple makes a bold seasonal feature on a sunny patio, so water it often in summer.

Wildlife plantings. Group several plants with other nectar plants for a long season of feeding for pollinators.

Growing Velour Purple Mexican Sage in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, flowering best in sun. It copes with heat but tolerates only a light frost. A harder frost burns the top growth, so in cold districts plant it in shelter and mulch over winter. It does best in subtropical and warm temperate gardens.

Soil. Most soils suit it, though it grows best in moist, well drained loam.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually about 12 weeks, and keep it well watered through hot spells. Fertilise regularly to keep it at its best.

Pruning. Prune once a year after flowering and mulch again to keep the flowering stems fresh.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Velour Purple Mexican Sage as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the choice for a drift or a long border, and the 140mm pots give a head start. Plant soon after delivery and keep the soil moist while it settles.

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 the full salvia range
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants
• Plants for full sun
• Plants for native bees in Australian gardens

Common questions

How big does it grow?

About 1m high and 1m to 1.2m wide, so leave 90cm between plants.

Does it need frost protection?

It tolerates only a light frost. Harder frost burns the top growth, so give young plants shelter and mulch in cold districts.

How does it differ from the other Velour sages?

Habit and care are the same. Only the flower colour changes: this one is deep purple, with pink and white forms in the same series.