Blog by Patricia Matteson
When I turned a corner in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden in late July and found myself facing this blooming plant, the sight stopped me in my tracks! The striking contrast between the chartreuse calyxes and the electric blue blossoms blew me away. I immediately thought about acquiring it for my garden, and asked the garden manager what it is. She told me it is Salvia ‘Limelight.’
‘Limelight’ turns out to be a cultivar of Salvia mexicana L., commonly called Mexican sage. S. mexicana is a perennial member of the mint family Lamiaceae. The bush I saw was mature, about 8 feet high and 5 feet wide. Leaves are lance-shaped and can grow up to 4 inches long. They are aromatic when crushed. The flowers bloom for several months starting in late summer, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.
S. mexicana should do well here. The Sunset Garden Book says it is suited to all three of Solano County’s growing zones: 9 (Vacaville), 14 (Dixon, Fairfield, and Rio Vista), and 17 (Benicia and Vallejo). It needs well-drained soil, in sun or light shade. Moderate watering is best, and the plant tolerates some drought. Propagation can be done via seeds, division, or cuttings.
There are a number of cultivars of Mexican sage on the market, with various leaf and flower colors. Some have dark green or grayish leaves. Flowers can be dark blue or violet, with green or reddish-purple calyxes. Some of the violet flowers are quite pale. If you, like me, find the color combination in the photo stunning, make sure you look for ‘Limelight.’