Growing Ornamental Plants: Growing Mexican Sage

Latest Update 6th May 2017.

Mexican Sage

Notes.

Salvias are related to Sage and share its tolerance of hot dry climates, even drought.
Our Mexican Salvias grow very rapidly and flower profusely in Autumn.
In winter all the canes need to be cut back to the ground to make way for the next year's growth.
They are easily propagated by cuttings, and my three plants originated from a cutting taken in my daughter's garden a few years ago. Each year I take cuttings from my own plants and replace any that have grown too big.

Growing Conditions:

Feed the Soil.

In September, remove old mulch, fallen leaves and other decaying organic material. Dispose of them in the compost heap.
Spray the soil with aerated compost extract and apply a top dressing of home made compost at a rate of 60 litres /M2.
Cover with fresh straw mulch.

Growing Instructions

Propagate Mexican sage by taking soft wood cuttings in Spring.
Take a 100mm cutting from a new shoot immediately below a node.
Remove all but one clusters of leaves including any flowers or buds.
Reduce the length of the remaining leaves to a third.
I have a small section in each of my 2.7m Ecobeds for cuttings, and with Salvias, I simply push them into the soft soil without rooting powder and water them in
I forget about them until they become too big and I have to find somewhere in the garden to put them, or give them to friends.
The living soil combined with the Ecobed's consistent moisture boosts propagation without using artificial means.
Prune the canes to the ground in early winter taking care not to damage the new shoots.
Apply a foliar spray of aerated compost tea in early spring and early autumn.

Potential Pests

Protection

Regular foliar sprays of aerated compost tea should deter most airborne pests and diseases.

An annual application of home made compost and aerated compost extract on the soil helps control soil borne pests.

Growing Ornamental Plants