- Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) is a small, shrubby plant native to Mexico and Texas. It reaches 4 feet in height and 2 feet in width. It has small leaves and produces bright-yellow, purple or pink flowers from early summer to first frost. During bloom time, hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the blossoms. The clumps of autumn sage are deer tolerant and light requirements are partial shade to full sun. The low-maintenance plant tolerates drought well and is used as a border plant, in beds and containers. It also grows indoors. Pest and disease problems include spider mites, stem rot, powdery mildew, aphids and whiteflies. It is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 7 through 9.
- Texas sage (Salvia texana) is known by many names including Texas rain, Texas silverleaf, Texas Ranger, purple sage, cenicilla, wild lilac and ash-bush. This compact shrub native to Texas displays silvery leaves and bursting with purple flowers from summer to fall. The area's high humidity and by heavy moisture in the soil following rains triggers profuse blooming. The plant is low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant. When used as a landscape plant, it needs full sun and alkaline soil that drains well. It is also disease resistant, with the exception of cotton root rot, but this is prevented by planting in the correct soil. Texas sage is hardy in USDA zone 8.
- Desert purple sage (Salvia dorrii) is native to the Great Basin desert areas of California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Oregon. The compact shrub grows in clumps to 3 feet high. When bloom time arrives in late spring, purple bracts appear on spikes along with blue flowers. The aromatic foliage has a silver-gray color and is semievergreen. The plant does best in well-draining, alkaline soil in full sun. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the blooms, which offer color to rock gardens, beds and borders. Desert purple sage is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9.
- Mealy blue sage (Salvia farinacea) is native to California, Texas and New Mexico. It is also known as Mexican blue sage and Germander sage. This perennial herb grows to 3 feet tall with showy blooms from spring through fall. The blue flowers attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. The foliage is a gray-green color and aromatic. It is highly deer resistant. A low-maintenance plant, it is drought resistant but does best in well-draining, moist soil in a sunny location. Mealy blue sage is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10.
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