Autumn Sage ‘Compact’ is a charming, soft, mounding shrub that typically reaches heights of 2-3 feet. It showcases small, minty, aromatic green leaves that stay evergreen in warmer climates. From spring to frost, its delightful flowers bloom on racemes, displaying colors like red, pink, purple, orange, or white. This lovely plant naturally thrives from south-central and west Texas all the way down to San Luis Potosi in Mexico, often nestled on rocky slopes.
Cherished as a popular landscape plant in the Southwest, Autumn sage shines as an ornamental flowering shrub in perennial beds or even as a low hedge. Its aromatic foliage awakens the senses, inviting fluttering hummingbirds to sip nectar from its vibrant flowers. While red blossoms are commonly found in the wild, colors vary from region to region — some areas burst with red blooms, while others may show off pink, orange, purple, white, and all the shades in between. Thanks to breeding efforts, these colors have expanded further, giving rise to a wonderful selection of cultivars. Plus, it remains disease- and insect-free, is drought-tolerant, and, once established, thrives without the need for fertilization.
For the best results, plant Autumn sage in a well-drained location, as it doesn’t fare well in shrink-swell clay soils. Amending clay with organic matter can improve drainage, so consider planting on a slope if possible. While generally tolerant of colder conditions, it may lose its leaves in regions that experience harsh winters. Some cultivars, however, have adapted well beyond their natural range, thriving in places like Oklahoma and Colorado. To keep your Autumn sage happy, try to avoid areas with heavy foot traffic, as its stems can be quite brittle.
BONAP MAP
Height: 2.5’-3′ Spread: 2.5’-3′ Bloom: Spring-Fall Light: Full Sun-Part Sun Water: Low Zone: 7-10 Origin: Texas (Cultivar)
