Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ (03/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Late summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1.5m
Eventual Spread: 1.5m
Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11
Family: Lamiaceae
Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ is an evergreen shrubby perennial with an erect, clump forming habit. Its mid to gray green leaves are deltoid with sinuate margins up to 20cm long and 12cm broad. Its blue to purple flowers are up to 5cm long, appear as terminal whorls. Its calyces are bright green.
Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ Flower (03/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
The species Salvia mexicana, commonly known as Mexican Sage, is native to central Mexico. In its native habitat it grows at forest margins.
The etymological root of the binomial name Salvia is derived from the Latin salvare, meaning to ‘save’ or ‘heal’, in reference to its historical use as a medicinal plant. Mexicana is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Mexico’.
The landscape architect may find Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ useful as part of a low maintenance herbaceous type planting scheme. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects and nectar loving birds.
Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ Leaf (03/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ requires little maintenance. To keep a tidy appearance it may be cut to near ground level in spring.
