prairie wildflower

Autumn sage

Salvia greggii

Also known as Cherry Sage, Gregg Salvia

Native to Texas

Central and west Texas south to San Luis Potosi in Mexico

Light Full sun Sun tolerance
Moisture Dry Moisture preference
Zones 6–11 Cold to heat range
Bloom Mar–Dec Flowering time
Height 2–3 ft 0.6–0.9 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its white flowers peak in July. At 2–3 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders. It shrugs off drought once established. Hardy in USDA zones 6–11.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The Autumn sage's white flowers bloom March to December, peaking in July. This midsummer display draws bees and butterflies.

Autumn sage blooms white, red, pink, orange & purpleFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also Western Honey Bee, American Bumble Bee, Bombus fervidus +9 more
Southern Carpenter Bee, Buff-tailed Bumble Bee, Horse-fly Carpenter Bee, Valley Carpenter Bee, Sonoran Bumble Bee, Foothill Carpenter Bee, Anthophora incerta, Violet Carpenter Bee, Common Carder Bumble Bee
Butterflies Gulf Fritillary

also Pipevine Swallowtail, Gray Hairstreak, Queen +8 more
Cloudless Sulphur, Marine Blue, Southern Dogface, Mexican Yellow, Abaeis nicippe, Zerene eurydice, Large Orange Sulphur, Brazilian Skipper
Moths White-lined Sphinx also Inornate Pyrausta Moth, Eurasian Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Tersa Sphinx
Also visited by
- Flower flies:
  
  Common Drone Fly, Large-tailed Aphideater +2 more
  Western Aphideater, Forked Globetail
- Hummingbirds:
  
  Anna's Hummingbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird +1 more
  Costa's Hummingbird
- Birds: Spinus psaltria

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: TexasUnited States (1): TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Central and west Texas south to San Luis Potosi in MexicoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 6–11The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Well-drained, rocky soils, usually limestone of greater or lesser organic content. Also in sands and loamsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Water use: LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Drought tolerance: HighRelative to plants of the same type and region, inferred from where it grows, not a days-without-water figure.

Growth & form

Height: 2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Mar–DecWhen it flowers.
Flower color: White, Red, Pink, Orange, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: NutletsThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.