A tough, long-blooming hummingbird shrub that handles High Desert winters.
Get a Free Planting PlanYes. Autumn sage is one of the more dependable flowering shrubs for the High Desert: it is rated to 0F, blooms from spring into fall, and draws hummingbirds. It needs well-drained soil, full sun or light afternoon shade, and moderate water, meaning a deep soak every so often rather than constant watering.
Top photo: Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shrub · Salvia greggii · Also called Red Chihuahuan Sage, Cherry Sage · Native to south-central and west Texas and northern Mexico
| Autumn Sage at a glance in the High Desert | |
|---|---|
| Type and size at maturity | Small shrub, 2 to 3 ft tall and wide (the SB County guide says bushy to 3 to 4 ft) [3] |
| Growth rate | Fast (NC State lists medium) [2] |
| Water once established | Moderate (WUCOLS IV, Region 5). The SB County guide says infrequent deep water. [4] |
| Sun | Full sun in middle and higher deserts; part shade in the low desert [2] |
| Cold hardiness | 0F, USDA zone 7 (NC State lists zones 6a to 9b). Hardy for High Desert winters. [2] |
| Heat | Needs afternoon shade in Phoenix summers but performs well in full sun in higher deserts. The SB County guide suggests shelter from midday sun. [2] |
| Soil | Well-drained soil; tolerates rocky soil. Drought and salt tolerant. [3] |
| Bloom | Red, pink, white or purple-red tubular flowers, spring through fall [2] |
| Evergreen or deciduous | Semi-evergreen (the SB County guide calls it an evergreen perennial) [3] |
| Pets | Not listed by the ASPCA; check with your vet [5] |
| Wildlife | Hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators, plus seed-eating birds [3] |
| Rabbits and deer | Seldom damaged by deer [3] |
| Where it fits | Borders, mass plantings, low hedges, slopes and banks [3] |
Cold is not the issue with this plant. Mountain States Wholesale Nursery rates autumn sage to 0F (USDA zone 7), and NC State Extension lists zones 6a through 9b. The Victor Valley is zone 8b, with an average coldest night of 15 to 20F and records near 0F. NC State notes that hardiness varies by cultivar, so a named variety may be a bit tougher or a bit softer than the species. In a hard winter the tips may brown, but the plant usually comes back from the woody base.
Heat is where the sources split. The grower sheet says it needs protection from afternoon sun in Phoenix but does well in full sun in the middle and higher deserts, which is us. The SB County High Desert landscaping guide suggests shelter from midday sun. In practice, full sun works in most Victor Valley yards, and an east-facing bed with some afternoon shade is the safer choice against a hot west wall or on reflective rock.
Wind is general practice here, since none of the sources rate it. Autumn sage is a low, twiggy shrub that holds up better in spring wind than tall plants do. Keep new plants watered through their first March to June wind season so they do not dry out.
NC State says autumn sage needs well-drained soil and tolerates rocky soil. It is also listed as drought and salt tolerant. Sandy, alkaline High Desert soil suits it. The thing to watch for is caliche, a cemented layer below the surface that can trap water around the roots. Our High Desert soils guide explains how to find it and deal with it.
Plant in spring after the last frost or in early fall while the soil is still warm. Victorville’s median last freeze is around March 18, but frost can come as late as mid April in about 1 year in 10. Check our frost dates and growing zones guide for your area.
WUCOLS IV rates autumn sage moderate for Region 5 (High and Intermediate Desert). That makes it thirstier than plants like red yucca or ocotillo, and it is the reason this page does not tag it as a low-water plant. The SB County guide puts it simply: infrequent deep water. The grower sheet calls it low to moderate.
Victorville gets about 5.57 inches of rain a year, so this plant will need drip in most yards. Put it on a zone with other moderate-water shrubs instead of mixing it with very low-water cactus and succulents. Our High Desert irrigation guide covers zone layout and run times. The grower sheet also notes that a little nitrogen fertilizer helps carry the plant through summer heat.
NC State lists autumn sage for borders, hedges, mass plantings, slopes and banks. It stays small enough to use along a walk or in front of a window, and it blooms for months. Flower colors run from red to pink, white and purple-red depending on the variety.
It is a strong pick for a hummingbird garden. The SB County guide notes that salvias attract hummingbirds, and both NC State and the grower sheet say the same for this species. Pair it with red yucca and desert willow for flowers from late spring into fall.
One naming note: some sources call this plant Texas sage, but on this site Texas sage means Leucophyllum frutescens, a larger gray shrub. They are different plants with different water needs.
For layout ideas, see our xeriscaping guide and rockscape design page. Because autumn sage takes moderate water, it fits best in the planting zone closest to the house, where drip lines already run.
The grower sheet says to shear in late winter. Cut back winter-damaged or leggy stems by up to a third before new growth starts.
Water deeply but infrequently (SB County guide). Shear lightly in midsummer (per the grower sheet) and trim spent flower spikes to keep blooms coming.
Peak bloom season, which is where the name comes from. Early fall is a good time to plant.
Cut water way back. Leave the plant alone until late winter; the old growth gives some cover through cold nights.
Somewhat. NC State calls it drought tolerant, but WUCOLS IV rates it moderate water for the High Desert region. The SB County guide advises infrequent deep water, so plan on drip in summer.
Mountain States Wholesale Nursery rates it to 0F (USDA zone 7). That covers normal High Desert winters, which average 15 to 20F on the coldest night.
It is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic. Check with your vet if your dog chews on plants.
The grower sheet says fast and NC State says medium. It usually fills out to its 2 to 3 ft size within a couple of seasons.
Spring after the last frost (median around March 18 in Victorville) or early fall while the soil is still warm.
We checked every number on this page against the public sources below. If a rule or date changes, the agency page is the final word.
Monarch designs and installs rockscape, drip irrigation and drought-tolerant plantings across the High Desert. We will check sun, wind and soil on your lot and tell you where a plant will do well and where it will struggle.
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