The plant will grow as a tropical annual in most of the state, but reaches 3 feet high and wide, producing loads of large bright blue snapdragon-like flowers. The South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Poplarville has long been the leader in the state for ornamental research and the plant material under evaluation has increased dramatically in the past few years. One of the plants in this trial that captured my heart is the Forsythia Sage, Salvia madrensis. This salvia reaches 7 feet in height, producing large, 12-inch long spires of yellow flowers which bees and hummingbirds revel in. The Forsythia Sage is cold hardy throughout the state and has been known to return from winters as cold as minus 9 degrees.
Ornamental gardening looks to have a bright future in our state.
New homes are being built, the green industry is growing, new plants are being developed and Mississippi State University is increasing its research and extension efforts by adding new horticulturists across the state. Recommendations on this web site do not endorse any commercial products or trade names.