Lakeshore Garden Centres Plant Finder

Description:

A very low growing, semi-evergreen variety, producing pagoda-like whorls of fuchsia flowers rising on stalks from late winter to summer; arrow shaped bright green leaves are aromatic; great for dry, sunny areas; little water required once established

Ornamental Features

Las Pilitas Hummingbird Sage has masses of beautiful spikes of lightly-scented fuchsia tubular flowers with black calyces rising above the foliage from late winter to mid summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive fragrant pointy leaves remain light green in colour throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Las Pilitas Hummingbird Sage is an herbaceous annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Las Pilitas Hummingbird Sage is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Las Pilitas Hummingbird Sage will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity extending to 18 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 5 feet. Although it's not a true annual, this plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Las Pilitas Hummingbird Sage is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.