Autumn Sage Pink

Plant Type: shrub
Plant Height: 2-3 feet
Spread: 2-3 feet
Flower Color: pink
Sun Exposure: Full Sun

Autumn Sage Pink (Salvia greggii) – A Vibrant and Drought-Tolerant Choice for Arizona Gardens

Autumn Sage Pink, a colorful variety of Salvia greggii, is a perennial shrub that brings charm, color, and resilience to Arizona landscapes. Native to the arid regions of Texas and Mexico, this hardy sage thrives in hot climates with minimal water, making it perfect for water-conscious gardening.

Key Features of Autumn Sage Pink

1. Abundant Pink Flowers
   Autumn Sage Pink is renowned for its prolific display of soft to bright pink blooms. These tubular flowers appear from early spring through fall, creating a long-lasting burst of color that enlivens garden spaces. Beyond their beauty, these flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, supporting local pollinators and adding dynamic movement to the garden.

2. Aromatic, Glossy Foliage
   The small, aromatic leaves of Autumn Sage Pink are glossy and deep green, forming a dense, bushy structure that complements its bright blooms. The foliage adds texture and fragrance to the garden, enhancing the sensory appeal of this plant.

Growing Autumn Sage Pink in Arizona

Autumn Sage Pink is well-suited to Arizona’s hot, dry climate and offers numerous benefits for low-maintenance landscaping:

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun, which promotes the most abundant flowering.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained soil, making it ideal for xeriscaping and rock gardens.
• Water: Highly drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal watering to thrive in arid environments.

Landscape Uses

With its compact size and vibrant flowers, Autumn Sage Pink is an excellent choice for various landscape applications:

• Borders and Edging: Adds bright color and structure to garden borders and pathways.
• Rock Gardens and Xeriscaping: Complements desert and rock gardens with its resilience and color.
• Container Gardens: Its manageable size makes it perfect for container planting, adding color to patios and entryways.
• Wildlife Gardens: Attracts pollinators, making it ideal for wildlife and native plant gardens.

Maintenance Tips

Autumn Sage Pink requires minimal upkeep, but a few simple steps will keep it thriving:

• Pruning: Light pruning after blooming helps maintain shape and encourages more flowers.
• Watering: Low water needs, perfect for dry climates like Arizona.
• Fertilization: Not essential, but a light feed in early spring can promote robust growth.

Add Autumn Sage Pink to Your Arizona Garden with Three Timbers Shop

Introduce the beauty and resilience of Autumn Sage Pink to your Arizona landscape by ordering from ThreeTimbersShop.com. Perfect for xeriscaping, rock gardens, or containers, this hardy sage variety provides vivid color and attracts wildlife, creating a lively and sustainable garden. Its drought tolerance, extended blooming season, and low-maintenance requirements make Autumn Sage Pink a valuable addition to Phoenix Valley landscapes.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Autumn Sage Pink

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and blooming)
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil (tolerates slightly acidic to neutral soil)
• Spacing: Space plants 2-3 feet apart to allow for optimal air circulation and growth
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: No staking required; Autumn Sage Pink grows as a compact shrub and is self-supporting

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 2-3 days for the first 2-3 weeks to encourage deep root growth and establishment
• Watering Amount: Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per session to ensure deep watering around the roots

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Autumn Sage Pink is considered established after 2-3 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil and the plant begins to show consistent new growth

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 1.5-2 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall. Autumn Sage Pink is drought-tolerant once established, but still benefits from occasional deep watering during dry winter periods.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 12-18 inches away from the base of the plant to ensure the water reaches the root zone and promotes deep root growth. Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour for slow, deep watering. This ensures that water reaches the plant's root zone and penetrates deeply into the soil.
• Number of Emitters: Place 2 emitters around the base of each plant to ensure even water distribution around the root zone. Adjust the number of emitters as the plant matures.
• Irrigation Zone: Set up a dedicated irrigation zone for drought-tolerant plants like Autumn Sage Pink. This will allow you to adjust the watering frequency and duration to meet the plant’s specific needs.
• Adjusting Frequency: During the hot summer months, increase the watering frequency to every 5-7 days, especially during prolonged heat waves. In cooler months, reduce watering to every 3-4 weeks or based on rainfall.

General Watering Tips:

• Soil Check: Check the soil moisture regularly. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
• Avoid Overwatering: Autumn Sage Pink is drought-tolerant once established, so ensure that the soil drains well and avoid standing water around the plant.
• Mulch: Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, keep the roots cool, and prevent weed growth. Avoid placing mulch directly against the plant's stem.