Salvia greggii Alba

Salvia greggii Alba, also known as Gregg's white sage, forms a small evergreen bush with dark green, very fine and pleasantly aromatic leaves. Its small pure white flowers bloom in June, then again in late summer, with even more generosity, until the first frost. This variety proves to be quite hardy and very resistant to summer drought.

Salvia greggii, also known as Texas white sage, belongs to the family of lamiaceae or labiates. The mountains of the east, west, and south of Mexico, as well as southern Arizona, are the birthplaces of this aromatic plant. This branching shrubby perennial has a bushy and spreading habit, as wide as it is tall. It will reach 50 cm (20in) in all directions. The nectar-rich flowering is particularly generous, especially in autumn from September to November if the cold does not put an end to it. The elongated flowers emerge from the foliage, grouped in spikes. They measure no more than 2 cm (1in) in length and are a beautiful ivory-white to pure white. They only live for a day, covering the ground with their petals in the evening, but will already be replaced the next morning. The evergreen foliage is composed of very fine leaves, 2 cm (1in) long, dark green, thick and aromatic, a little sticky, releasing with heat a strongly scented fresh and tangy essential oil. In case of intense drought, the plant may partially lose its leaves, without any impact on its health. New buds will develop as soon as the rains return.

This hardy shrubby sage (-15°C (5°F) in well-drained soil) will accompany the spring flowering of daffodils, aubrietas, rosemary, and rock campanulas. But its association with autumn asters is fabulous: choose those that need little attention, such as Aster laevis, Aster turbinellus or Aster amellus for example. Gauras, tall sedums (Sedum 'Matrona'), shrubby potentillas, and beautiful autumn foliage (Euonymus alatus 'Compactus', Nandina domestica 'Firepower', Miscanthus sinensis 'Afrika') will compose an elegant tableau with it. On the terrace, place it in a large pot, right next to an Imperata cylindrica 'red baron'; the contrast of colours and silhouettes is fantastic!

In Mexico, a delicious tea is prepared with the leaves of this sage, which is called 'mountain myrtle' there.