Sages are a popular part of the Australian garden due to their versatility and tolerance of hot dry conditions. ‘Phyllis’ Fancy’ is an attractive low growing shrub thriving in our local conditions. It is tolerant of moderate frosts, part to full sun and most soil types. It has long purple spikes of light lavender flowers, each held in a bicolor calyx, purple on top and green on the bottom. Named after Phyllis Norris and believed to be a hybrid between Salvia chiapensis and Salvia leucantha, that occurred at the University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum. It is similar but larger and hardier than Salvia 'Waverly' growing to around 1.5m high by 1.6m wide.
‘Phyllis’ Fancy’ responds to a late spring prune and application of Osmocote Plus Controlled Release fertilizer. Best planted in a sunny position behind other colorful perennials like Penstemon ‘Alice Hindley’, Penstemon ‘Gladiator’ or Lavandula ‘Hazel’
