Mexican Bush Sage - September 17, 2012

Fall is the bloom time for Salvia Leucantha, common name Mexican Bush Sage.  It's very pretty, but it blooms only in the fall.  By way of comparison, other salvias bloom all spring, summer and into the fall, so this plant does not have all the advantages of other salvias.  Speaking of its positive attributes, though, the flower spikes are almost a foot long and velvety purple.  The attractive foliage is silvery grey.  Another negative:  it is a little tender, and it must be heavily mulched to make it through the winter.