Salvia coahuilensis (Coahuila Sage) - A sprawling evergreen shrub that grows to about 2 tall and as wide or a little wider with narrow 1-inch-long olive-green leaves with a particular spicy aroma and violet-purple flowers over a long period from late spring through fall.
Best planted in full sun in a well-drained soil. It is fairly drought tolerant but looks better with occasional to regular irrigation. Hardy to 20 F. Cut back plants hard in winter to promote fresh new foliage in spring.
This beautiful little sage is occasionally offered as Salvia greggii 'Purple' but unlike Salvia greggii, which has a extended range from the mountains in south west Texas south to San Luis Potosi, this little jewel comes from a restricted area in the mountainous Sierra Madre Occidental in the province of Coahuila, west of Saltillo. The name Salvia comes from the name used by Pliny for a plant in the genus and comes from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning "to save" in reference to the long-believed healing properties of several Sage species and its specific name is a reference to where this plant comes from.
We first received this plant from Mark Bartholomew of Hi-Mark Nursery in 1991 and have grown it ever since. We particularly like the smell of this plant's foliage.
The information about Salvia coahuilensis displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |