Engelmann’s Sage (Salvia engelmannii) is a compact, velvety perennial native to the limestone hills of Central Texas. It forms a low, mounded shape with narrow leaves and pale lavender to soft blue tubular flowers that bloom on short spikes in spring. This mint-family favorite thrives in dry, rocky soils and offers a delicate pop of color in perennial beds, rock gardens, and shortgrass meadows. Though its bloom time is shorter than some other salvias, it’s beloved by pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. With its drought tolerance, deer resistance, and tidy habit, Engelmann’s Sage is a resilient and charming choice for Texas landscapes.

Scientific Name: Salvia engelmannii A. Gray
Origin: Endemic to Central Texas limestone hills
Height: Up to 18 inches
Spread: About 1.5 feet
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Hardiness: Zones 7–9
Bloom: April to May