Where to Purchase an Autumn Sage Plant

Autumn sage is a gorgeous ornamental plant that bursts with colorful blooms from summer into fall. With its vibrant flowers and fragrant foliage, it’s no wonder autumn sage is a coveted addition for many gardens. If you’re hoping to get your hands on this delightful plant, you’re probably wondering – where can I purchase an autumn sage plant? In this article, we will explore the best places to buy a robust, healthy autumn sage for your landscape or container garden.

Overview of Autumn Sage

Let’s start with a quick overview of this fabulous plant. Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) is a perennial subshrub or woody-based perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 6-9. Native to Texas and Mexico, this tough plant thrives in hot, dry conditions. The fragrant minty foliage provides a lovely backdrop for the abundant tubular flowers that bloom in shades of red, pink, orange, purple, or white depending on the variety.

Autumn sage brings nonstop color to gardens from summer until frost. It attracts butterflies bees and hummingbirds. Deer tend to leave it alone. With minimal care, this durable plant will return for many years. Autumn sage does best in full sun and enriched, well-drained soil. It blooms most prolifically with moderate water. Deadheading spent blooms promotes more flowering. Pruning plants back by one-third in late winter shapes the plant and improves air circulation.

Where to Buy Autumn Sage Plants

Now that you know the basics about autumn sage, let’s explore some recommended places to purchase plants:

Local Nurseries

Visiting local independent nurseries and garden centers is a great option for finding healthy, locally-grown autumn sage plants. Reputable nurseries often carry a diverse selection of autumn sage varieties, sizes, and prices. Their knowledgeable staff can provide useful care tips and variety recommendations for your region. Purchasing plants locally also supports small businesses in your community.

Big Box Stores

Large home improvement and garden stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s typically stock a limited selection of the most popular autumn sage varieties in common sizes. The plants are affordable but may lack the diversity and tailored guidance that local nurseries offer. On the plus side, big box stores often have generous return policies in case an autumn sage plant arrives stressed or diseased.

Mail Order Nurseries

Ordering autumn sage plants online through mail order nurseries allows you to access specialty varieties that local stores may not carry. Reputable online sellers offer detailed plant descriptions, growing information, and guarantees. Make sure to shop early in the growing season before varieties sell out. Be aware of shipping restrictions for live plants to your state.

Wholesale Nurseries

Purchasing wholesale allows you to buy multiple autumn sage plants or even flats/trays of young starter plants at greatly reduced costs This is ideal if you need a large quantity for hedges, borders or commercial projects. Wholesale nurseries typically sell to businesses, landscapers or require a reseller account Minimum orders and pick-up from the nursery are often required.

Supermarkets

Some grocery stores and superstores carry a small selection of popular, inexpensive herb and flower plants, including autumn sage. This can be a budget-friendly option, but plant health and selection are limited. Avoid plants that appear overwatered, rootbound, or diseased.

What to Look for When Buying

To ensure you select vigorous, top-quality autumn sage plants, check for these signs of health:

• Full, lush foliage with no yellowing
• Firm, upright stems with healthy branching
• Abundant buds, flowers, or spent blooms
• Moist soil but no waterlogged roots
• No signs of pests, webs, holes in leaves
• Clean, quality nursery pot or container

Avoid plants that seem dried out, are rootbound with congested roots circling the container, or show disease or damage. Also beware of any autumn sage being sold while it’s dormant; it’s hard to gauge the plant’s condition.

When to Purchase Autumn Sage

Spring and fall are ideal times to plant autumn sage as this allows the roots to establish before hot summer weather or cold winters set in. However, garden centers and nurseries typically offer autumn sage plants from early spring through late summer.

For the very best selection, shop early in the spring planting season before popular varieties sell out. Autumn is often a good time to find end-of-season sales on remaining stock. When purchasing later in summer, be sure to care for the new plant properly by watering frequently until the roots establish. Providing shade for the first few weeks can also help prevent transplant stress.

Questions to Ask When Buying Autumn Sage

Don’t be afraid to pick the nursery worker’s brain and ask plenty of questions when selecting your autumn sage plants. Helpful queries include:

• Is this variety suitable for my USDA zone?
• What are the ideal growing conditions?
• Does it prefer sun or shade?
• How large will the plant grow?
• Is this a true perennial in my climate?
• How much space should I allow between plants?
• How far back should it be pruned in late winter?
• Do you recommend any fertilizer or soil amendments?

Getting the specifics for your chosen autumn sage variety will set you up for success!

Autumn Sage Varieties to Select From

One of the most exciting aspects of shopping for autumn sage is choosing from the diverse varieties. Here are some top options to look for:

• ‘Cherry Chief’ – Compact 18-inch tall plant with vibrant cherry red blooms.

• ‘Black and Blue’ – Striking purple-black stems and flowers.

• ‘Lyrical Blues’ – Prolific light blue-purple blooms with a sweet fragrance.

• ‘Pink Preference’ – Vibrant rosy pink flowers.

• ‘Furman’s Red’ – Nonstop bright red flowers ideal for borders and containers.

• ‘White Light’ – Pure white flowers on disease-resistant green foliage.

• ‘Amistad’ – Deep purple flowers with contrasting lime green foliage.

• ‘Love and Wishes’ – Coral orange and red bicolor blooms.

• ‘Sierra San Antonio’ – Abundant red blooms and excellent tolerance for humidity and heat.

Do some research on the characteristics of each autumn sage variety to choose the right fit for your landscape design needs, climate, and color preferences.

Caring for Newly Purchased Plants

Once you get your prized autumn sage plant home, be sure to give it proper care to help the roots establish quickly:

• Plant in well-draining enriched soil with lots of sun exposure.

• Water thoroughly after planting and provide consistent moisture for the first 4-6 weeks.

• Consider creating shade with a patio umbrella, sheet, or lattice for the initial few weeks.

• Apply an organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

• Stake the plant if needed to provide support in windy areas.

• Avoid fertilizer at time of planting but feed with a balanced organic fertilizer once established.

• Monitor for pests like spider mites or whiteflies and treat accordingly. Be vigilant about removing spent blooms and dead foliage.

With the proper selection, planting, and care, your newly purchased autumn sage will soon be thriving and enhancing your garden with vivid flower color throughout the seasons!

Frequency of Entities:

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variety/varieties: 9
flower/flowers/flowering/bloom/blooms: 32
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water/watering: 7
root/roots: 6
pest/pests: 3
purchase/purchased/purchasing: 12
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season/seasons: 5
local: 4
selection: 5
container/containers: 3