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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: Bolivia (South America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Magenta |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Salvia oxyphora (Fuzzy Bolivian Sage) - A compact upright everygreen sub-shrub to 4 tall by nearly as wide with glossy dark green corrugated lanceolate 5 inch long leaves and are covered in tiny hairs From late spring (June) to first frost appear the clusters on 6 to 8 inch long spikes at branch tips bearing very attractive inch and a half long inflated tubular vibrant magenta flowers that are fuzzy on all outer surfaces with pink hairs. Plant in part day sun in a rich ammeded soil with regular irrigation. Hardy to 10 to 15° F. Pinch growth tips to encorage branching and compactness. A very attractive and unusual plant for the perennial border or other irrigated locations in the garden or in a large contanier that is very attractive to hummingbirds. This plant comes from the foothills and lower slopes to up to 7,200 feet in the Bolivian Andes into Peru. It was first collected in 1892 by German plant explorer Otto Kuntze near the city of Cochabamba as he went the jungleas of Central Bolivia’s Los Yungas forest in the Andes Mountains. The name Salvia comes from the name used by Pliny for a plant in the genus and comes from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning "to save" in reference to the long-believed healing properties of several Sage species. The specific epithet likely is from the Latin words 'oxy', meaning bearing and 'phora' meaning "sword", likely in reference the the pointed leaf tips of this plant. Other common names include Bolivian Hummingbird Sage, Bolivian Spearhead Sage and the folks at the wonderful Bay Area Annie's Annuals and Perennials Nursery note it a favorite at their nursery where they call it "Elmo’s Sage" in reference to the hairy red Muppet character.
The information about Salvia oxyphora displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We also relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we visit, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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