How to prune Mexican Bush Sage

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is a fast growing hummingbird plant that can look raggedy by December. Not to worry, you are only 1 good trim away from revitalizing your sage. With assistance from my dog Ginger, I will show you how to prune your Mexican Bush Sage to get those big blooms again. It's easy to grow. Try it out! Here's the link to buy some;
amzn.to/39qk0pB
amzn.to/39xAI6p
Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design
For more information about my San Diego based landscape design services, please contact me at [e-mail]
2 Minute Gardener #62
#salvia
#Mexicanbushsage
#hummingbirdplant
#waterconservation
#pruningsalvias
#backyardgarden
#backyarddesign
#landscapedesign
#garden
#gardenideas
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[@mangotango5704]

I live in Southern California, zone 9. I cut mine all the way down to the grown twice a year. Comes back pretty fast, more bushy, with hundreds of blooms. It's huge, so its time to divide. Thank you for your advice about not cutting them all back at once because the hummingbirds come to depend on them. Hummingbirds in your garden feeding on a gorgeous plant is a dream.

[@2minutegardener639]

That is awesome!

[@lcglazer]

what do you mean by divide? dig up half the plant and move it elsewhere?

[@JEK]

I first year having one. It's been pruned back and not looking so hot a few weeks ago. New shoots are beginning to finally happen with white stems and green leaves. I love this plant it's one of my faves. Thanks for the tip.

[@2minutegardener639]

Best of luck!

[@philpetersen4477]

Ginger is a nice doggo!

[@2minutegardener639]

Yes, Thanks for watching!

[@lcglazer]

Why Mexican Sage over Lavender, ornamental or maintenance wise?
To me both will do the job of "tall fields of purple spikes" look.

[@elsadarya]

Great advice!

[@2minutegardener639]

Thanks

[@vclocals5536]

Thank you, I have almost dead looking tall sage bushes I need to deal with.

[@2minutegardener639]

I'm glad you liked the video

[@emilschneider9974]

That's very nice thank you for the video. So do you recommend the pruning happens in the winder or can it happen any time of the year?

[@2minutegardener639]

I recommend twice a year, winter and summer.

[@hadleyfierlinger9197]

I will just keep bending down and wacking it out then 🤣

[@2minutegardener639]

That will work

[@cmelingonis]

Hi Doug. My Sage bloomed quite well here in San Diego this year. They were planted almost a year ago. Is it better to prune back these guys in March when we start to turn a corner with our weather?
Can I dead head them through the fall before we get a first frost? With the July heat we've had, they are looking a little thin and leggy.
Thanks!

[@2minutegardener639]

Whack them now and again in January. That way you will have flowers in October and November here in San Diego. Thanks for watching!

[@Adry2Mnrvr]

This is so helpful! How many times a year should you prune? Just once every December?

[@2minutegardener639]

Twice, a hard prune in the winter and a half prune in the summer

[@rayneroberts5101]

@@2minutegardener639 Thank you!!

[@jjf609]

Update: I just read your reply about a hard winter prune & soft summer prune.
Q: is it possible to leave a few long pieces so it doesn't go through ugly stubble stage in winter?

[@2minutegardener639]

Yes, you can also wait until the spring growth before trimming.

[@eMDiKhamPha]

what's mexican bush sage for? I got a few branches to grow but I don't know what they're for besides from the look

[@2minutegardener639]

They attract hummingbirds.

[@MrMannyboy329]

Is that Mexican Sage just one plant?

[@2minutegardener639]

Actually I have 4 in the yard

[@MrMannyboy329]

The first one you showed that is pretty big is it from one plant are multiple plants planted together?

[@ginispicer9029]

I've bought Mexican Sage the last 2 years. They bloomed beautifully but didn't come back either year..

[@2minutegardener639]

After pruning, remember to feed them

[@NESSAVFELIX28]

@@2minutegardener639 just moved to my new house and I have 3 separate Mexican sage bushes. What do you feed them?

[@2minutegardener639]

@@NESSAVFELIX28 I feed them Miracle Grow and GroPower. In addition to the feeding I prune mine in the winter (this video) and the summer (next week's video)

[@hazielanath]

Do you ever save the seeds? If so can you show us how? Thank you

[@2minutegardener639]

This particular sage propagates by division