The Salvia Santa Barbara, 'Salvia leucantha', a Proven Selections plant, grows to barely one-third the size of common Mexican Sage. The vivid colors of the compact and early-flowering Santa Barbara do wonderful things to any container or garden. The rose-lavender colored flowers contrast nicely against the white stems. It needs planting in full sun, and clipping later in the year to maintain a good shape and appearance.For zones 9-11, this plant can also be a perennial.