The Specials: Salvias - From Contentious to Confusing

The Special: Sages/ Salvias

I want to promote the wonderful Salvia family. The confusion arises because many Salvias go by the common name of “sage”. This is further confused by the common names of plants that we find in the nurseries. A true sage will have the term “Salvia” in the scientific name. But many plants aren’t labeled with the scientific name at all. Instead, we are presented with names like “Mexican Sage” and “Autumn Sage”. It can be really difficult to know exactly what you are getting. In addition, some common plants that are not in the Salvia genus are sold under the name sage. For instance, there are many gray, wooly shrubs that grow in the western states that go by the common name “sage”. They are actually in the genus “Leucophyllum”. Among these is our popular Texas Sage. And Russian sage – another imposter!

I have about 15 various sages in my yard. Unfortunately, I have not kept good records of their scientific names. What they all have in common is that they are loved by butterflies and hummingbirds. Look for leaves that grow in pairs, tubular flowers with two unequal lips, flowers that grow on spikes, and square stems (which may get rounder with age). They come in various sizes and colors and may bloom anytime from early spring to late fall depending on the variety. Here are some common, recommended varieties for our area.

Cedar Sage (Salvia roemeriana) which likes shade and will reseed itself. It will grow under Ashe Junipers!

Sage (Salvia greggii) also known as Autumn sage. You will find it in colors other than solid red

Henry Duelberg (Salvia farinacea) or Mealy sage which will naturalize nicely in a wildflower garden

Majestic sage (Salvia guaranitica) which will grow to 5’ with blue or purple flowers

Mexican Bush sage (Salvia leucantha) with its lance like foliage and great blue spikes in late summer

Penstemen sage (Salvia penstemonoides) also known as big red sage for obvious reasons

Tropical sage (Salvia coccinea) which is an annual in red, pink or white. It reseeds vigorously

Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) which is much loved for it scarlet blooms and wonderfully fragrant leaves

And, don’t forget some culinary sage. Tiny plants will grow to 3’ X 3’ plants in our climate. The leaves are great with rice and poultry. Fry a whole leaf for just a minute and use as a delicious garnish.

Resources: The New Book of Salvias by Betsy Clebsch, Native and Adapted Landscape Plants by Grow Green, http://www.plantdelights.com/Tony/Articles/Salvia-Perennial-Sage/, and http://www.paghat.com/salviahotlips.html

Ashe Juniper - The Good and the Bad

The Good:
Our Ashe Juniper (known in the hill country as Mountain Cedar or Post Cedar), is a contentious tree. It is native to the Hill Country, but once covered much smaller areas in its range. It was controlled by wildfires until the European settlers began to suppress wildfires. Now, it is considered invasive by ranchers and landowners. Here are both the good and bad things about this native that you should know before you remove every last one!
• It is native to our Edwards Plateau
• It provides shelter for many native birds and small mammals
• It is an important food source for our native birds and small mammals
• It can provide a great visual and wind screen since it is dense and evergreen
• It takes up less water from its roots than Live Oaks (see www.texas huntfish.com)
• It is drought and heat resistant and tolerates our low winter temperatures
• Only the male trees send out pollen (so keep the ladies – the ones with the blue berries)
• It loves rocky hillsides and works to prevent erosion on those sites
• Deer don’t eat it!
• It is the larval host plant for Juniper Hairstreak and Olive Butterflies
• The bark of mature junipers is the only nesting material that the Golden Cheeked Warbler will use
The Bad:
• It is very flammable and should be removed from the 30 – 50’ perimeter around the house and buildings
• Many folks are very allergic to the pollen that the male trees produce in large quantities
• It holds the first ¼ inch of rain in its canopy preventing it from getting to the water table or plants below
• Large stands probably affect stream flow or groundwater recharge by as much as 5%
• It will take over grassland and live oak savannahs
So, think twice about removing your Ashe Juniper. It would be a great assistance to our wildlife if you would leave a couple of mature trees on your property. Ashe Juniper can be removed by pulling small trees or cutting them off below the last green branch. They don’t regenerate from the roots.