Purple people pleasers
After mounding taller and taller all summer, finally reaching 5 feet across and 4 feet high (even with a late-spring trim), Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha ) takes its star turn across the garden stage in late summer.
Long spires of fuzzy purple blossoms tip each stem, attracting dueling hummingbirds.
Two large clumps of this Mexican native grace my front foundation beds, one in part shade and one in full, blistering sun. They both do great. This one, near my stock-tank planter, shows how well it accentuates other purples.
On the other end of the garden, it contrasts with yellow-flowering or -striped plants. It looks eye-popping when paired with a blazing yellow mound of copper canyon daisy (Tagetes lemmonii ) or Mexican mint marigold (Tagetes lucida ). Hmm, maybe in my next garden.
The other purple people pleaser in my early-fall garden is American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana ), a large, native, deciduous shrub that prefers afternoon shade and occasional extra water. I grow mine near a downspout on the north side of the house, in the dappled shade of an Anacacho orchid tree.
I enjoy its large leaves all summer because so few of our native plants have lush foliage. In late summer, little green berries appear along the arching, wand-like branches. Come September, they turn lilac and then purple, turning the mockingbirds into gluttons. If I’m lucky, I’ll see berries for a month or two. If the birds are really hungry, all bets are off.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I have both of those and agree, amazing plants. And both deer resistant! Now that is something to be pleased about.
I’m kind of surprised that deer don’t munch on the beautyberry, since it lacks odor or a fuzzy texture. I’ll be using it in my back garden anyway, which is fenced. But I’m sure I’ll plant the salvia out front. —Pam
Hi Pam, The salvia and beautyberry are both gorgeous!
Although that salvia’s not hardy here, I do love them and have thought about seeing how a hardier one would bloom in our mostly-shady garden.
I had a beautyberry at my last house. Seeing them featured in so many posts recently including this one reminds me how much I enjoyed it, and makes me want to move it closer to the top of the list!
I hope you are able to add a beautyberry this fall, Linda. They’re one of those fall “necessaries,” in my book. —Pam
Your bush sage is awesome. Mine just isn’t doing as well this year as the past few years. I think I’ve watered that bed much more and it didn’t like it. And your Beautyberry is …well … beauty-ful!
Thanks, Diana. Beautyberry is well named, isn’t it? I hope your bush sage recovers in time for a good fall show. —Pam
Mama had beautybush. I think it was her favorite. Mexican bush sage is a knockout isn’t it? I am thinking about growing it next year and placing it next to my gold lantana. I love purple and yellow together as I am finding out, a lot of people do. Your photos are beautiful and clear and just everything mine aren’t. LOL..I need a new camera if I am going to keep doing this blogging thing.
Purple and yellow are great together. Have you tried purple and orange? I used to have a large orange lantana next to a Mexican bush sage, and it was an electric combination in the fall and attracted butterflies like crazy. —Pam
Pam, I just love all your purples.
I planted many S. leucanthas buying the more expensive gallon size in the perennial section of the store. Every winter I would lose them until I found that they can not be allowed to stay too wet over the winter. I then found I could buy them in the herb section for a $1.99. Now it is one of my favorites.
Did you know that the native beautyberry repels mosquitoes?
Yes, they do grow fast—always good to know when making nursery purchases. I did not know that beautyberry repels mosquitoes, but I’m intrigued. Have you found this out from personal experience? Do you have to be inside the bush for it to work? 😉 —Pam
Sure do love those beautyberries. 🙂
Your purples are pleasing to all of us purple-loving people! They look so wonderful with the house color.
Although your Salvia leucantha looks much more wonderful, Pam, I’m not too jealous this year because my plant lived and is in bloom here. It’s planted on a slight slope under an overhang with full western sun so it doesn’t get rained on and drains fast.
At the last house they were like weeds…I have to trick them into growing here.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
PS In my experience, the deer disliked Copper Canyon daisy, but they ate all the flowers off the Mexican Mint marigold, leaving a stubby plant.
How do you trick them, Annie? I’m picturing you out there in a cape and top hat, waving a magic wand. 😉 —Pam
I absolutely am riveted by that American beauty berry! Never seen anything quite like it!
Brenda
You could surely grow it in east Texas, Brenda. It’s a lovely addition to a spacious shade garden. —Pam
Pleased with the purple!
Pam, your S. leucanthas are stunning! Mine have been disappointing so far but I’m hoping this cooler, drier weather will send them into a growth spurt.
I hope so too, Cindy. They surely didn’t need the rain or the pounding that you got with the hurricane. —Pam
It is a people pleaser for sure! And rightly so. So have you seen the pink berried form of Callicarpa americana called Welsh Pink? It is fantastic. I will try to post on it soon. I am waiting on one stalk to color up for its photo op.
No, but I would love to see it! Please let me know when you post about it. The move prep is slowing my blog reading down. —Pam
I see purple and a house paint color that blends well with most green foliage and the red-purple hues. Smartly done. Ken S
Thanks, Ken! I couldn’t resist a little purple on my green house. It works so well in nature, so why not on siding? —Pam
Gorgeous color, Pam! Isn’t it funny how some seasons seem to have their own colors that they lay claim to? (At least, in one’s own garden?)
Yes, that’s true. What is your fall color, Kim? —Pam
Those are two of my favorite plants. That color can’t be beat.
I’ve spent time in several nurseries here, looking for the Callicarpa americana. It will grow here in part shade, and I just love its look. Not one nursery has it–never stocked it, and had no suggestions as to other local sources. I’m very disappointed as this is our prime planting time. Did you sell your house? I hope the new owner appreciates your wonderful garden!
Aiyana
Rats! I’m disappointed for you, Aiyana, although I am surprised to hear that American beautyberry will grow in dry, dry Phoenix. Have you looked online for a mail-order source?
Nope, we haven’t sold the house yet. Still waiting for the next gardener to come along. —Pam
There was an article in the local paper about C. americana’s mosquito repellent properties and it intrigued me. If I am going to purchase a repellent plant, I’d much rather have a Beautyberry than a Citronella Geranium that has to be re-purchased every season. Here is a link from the USDA on the topic:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/feb06/mosquito0206.htm
Les
Thanks for the link, Les. —Pam