Blue Salvia
Big Blue Salvia is a hybrid cultivar born from crossing Salvia longispicata and Salvia farinacea, bringing together the vigor and ornamental appeal of both parent species. Growing 30 to 36 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches, this frost-tolerant perennial produces stunning blue flowers from early summer through late fall, thriving in zones 8 and warmer. It's a sun lover that handles drought well and draws pollinators effortlessly, making it both beautiful and ecologically generous in the garden.
18-24 inches apart
Full Sun
Moderate
8-8
36in H x 24in W
Annual
High
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This hybrid delivers months of continuous blue blooms without fussiness, flourishing in full sun with moderate water and shrugging off both drought and deer. The long flowering season stretches from June through November, so you get color when many other plants are fading. It's also refreshingly low-maintenance, generally problem-free and asking only for well-draining soil with a neutral pH and the occasional deep watering.
Big Blue Salvia serves as a vibrant ornamental in perennial borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator-focused plantings. Its extended bloom window and attraction to bees and butterflies make it valuable for supporting pollinators throughout the growing season. The upright habit and rich blue color work well as a mid-border accent or grouped in drifts for visual impact.
Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. Sow on the soil surface and press in lightly; cover with a thin layer of vermiculite to maintain humidity. Keep the seed tray at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect germination in 7 to 10 days.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days, then transplant after all frost danger has passed. Space plants 1 inch apart in full sun with well-draining soil.
Direct sowing is not recommended for this cultivar.
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