Mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea) has stunning purple-blue flowers that attract pollinators and brighten the landscape. The name may not sound terribly pretty, but the plant also goes by the name blue salvia. These salvia plants are warm region perennials but can be used in other zones as attractive annuals. Continue reading for some comprehensive blue salvia information.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Salvia farinacea, the mealycup sage, or mealy sage, is a herbaceous perennial native to Nuevo León, Mexico and parts of the United States including Texas and Oklahoma. Violet-blue spikes rest on a compact plant of typically narrow salvia-like leaves; however, the shiny leaves are what set this species apart from most other Salvia, which bear velvety-dull leaves.
The mealycup sage reaches stature heights of 60 to 90 cm. The shape of the leaf blade varies from ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate. The inflorescence axis forms a blue, rarely a white hair. The truncated calyx has very short calyx teeth. They are dense blue or white hairy, so that the individual enamel teeth are barely recognisable. The bright blue-white flowers are slim and gleaming. The crown will be about 2.5 inches long. Inside the crown there is no ring-shaped hair strip.
The first description of S. farinacea was made in 1833 by George Bentham in Labiatarum Genera et Species, p. 274. Synonyms for S. farinacea Benth. include Salvia linearis Sessé & Moc. and S. virgata Ortega.
This plant requires full or partial sun and will grow to 18 inches or more with good soil and will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The plant is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 8–10. The plant flowers from June to frost. In the temperate latitudes, it is cultivated as an annual plant and used as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, especially in summer discounts. It can also be used as a cut flower.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Mealycup sage prefers full sun. Ensure at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for better blooms. Most varieties can also tolerate a partially shady environment, although they show less dense growth and fewer flowers are likely to bloom. However, strong sunlight all day may burn the leaves of some varieties, so a little shade may be required in these cases.
Temperature
There are mealycup sage varieties from all around the world, although the majority of varieties originate from Central and South America. As may be expected, therefore, many mealycup sage species are tender with a fondness for warmer climates. However, there are also hardy mealycup sage species that can deal with temperatures that plummet below freezing.
Watering
Drought-resistant varieties of mealycup sage require little watering, even during the summer. They only need watering during periods of drought. However, some tender varieties and young plants should be watered regularly, about 2.5 cm of water every 7-10 days so that their soil does not completely dry out.
Soil
Mealycup sage prefers rich or clay soils. Drainage is also key and you should add grit to heavy or compact soils. If you are planting mealycup sage in a pot, the addition of perlite is recommended for better drainage.
Fertilizing
In rich or clay soils, mealycup sage requires no fertilizer. As a light feeder, mealycup sage will benefit from the addition of a little compost in poor soil. You can also add some slow-release fertilizer when planting. Take care not to add too much fertilizer, however, as this will cause them to grow too rapidly and flop over.
Planting Instructions
The majority of mealycup sage species begin flowering in the summer and continue flowering all the way through to mid-autumn. When growing from seed, mealycup sage should be sown early in the growing season like spring to ensure that plants have time to establish themselves and flower before the arrival of frosts, later in the year. You can sow the seeds directly in the garden or, for early blooms, sow seeds indoors and transplant the new plants into the garden in early spring.
However, if you have bought a potted mealycup sage, you can choose to plant it either during the spring or the autumn. Although the autumn may seem to be an unlikely time to plant mealycup sage, this is, in fact, a brilliant time of year for gardeners to get ahead before the next growing season. Autumn is an ideal time for planting or separating sage, not only to extend the flowering season in your garden but also to provide the plant with the opportunity to establish a healthy root system before its winter dormancy, so it is ready to burst into life the following spring.
Be sure to give mealycup sage plenty of space when positioning it in the garden, allowing for its tall and colorful blooms. If you are planting a tender variety of mealycup sage, such as Salvia coccinea ‘Lady in Red’, it may be better suited to a container that can be easily moved to a sheltered position, to avoid frost damage during the winter. In addition, gardeners in cooler regions may also like to consider treating tender varieties of mealycup sage that prefer warmer climates as annuals, rather than as typical perennials.
Pruning
Early spring pruning to remove dead woody material will encourage a bushier growth habit and more abundant flowering. Deadheading spent flower spikes during the growing season can also help to prolong the bloom period.
Propagation
The Salvia Farinacea is relatively easy to propagate from the seed. Before the last spring frost:
- Fill seed tray or cell packs with a seed-starting mix
- Lightly pack down the soil
- Set trays into a shallow container of water to wick up moisture
- Let the starter soil mix soak up the water
- Place two to three Salvia seeds into each planting cell
- Push the seeds into mix to ensure good contact with the soil
- Do not cover the seeds with soil
- Place seed
- Put the seed tray near a window with bright light – AVOID direct sunlight
- Keep temperatures between 65° – 70° degrees Fahrenheit
- Keep soil in seed tray moist, but not wet
- Water as needed
- Salvia seeds should begin to germinate in 10 to 14 days
The salvia adapts easily to most types of soils. The seeds also self-sow. Move the plants outdoors after the last frost. Salvia seeds typically germinate between 10 and 30 days.
III. Varieties of the Salvia Farinacea
There are many variants of the Salvia Farinacea. Salvias tend to be popular because they are easy to grow and are great for landscaping.
There are over 700 different Salvia species. Here are a few of the most popular varieties:
- Blue Bedder: 32” inch tall plants whose deep-blue flowers grow on large spikes
- Strata: 12” to 18” inches tall plants with a range of colors from deep blue to silvery white
- Victoria Series: 18” inches tall with thin deep purple-blue or silvery-white spikes
- Mini Victoria: These are 12” inches tall dwarf plants with thin deep purple spikes
- Silvery White: 18” inches tall with tall silvery-white flowers
IV. Uses and Benefits
- Eye-Catching Beauty
With alluring blue blooms and attractive foliage, Salvia farinacea is an ideal ornamental plant to add to your garden. Its manageable height makes it suitable for a variety of settings, from borders to container gardens.
- Pollinator Paradise
The rich nectar of its deep blue flowers attracts a variety of pollinators. Including Blue Sage in your garden not only adds beauty but also promotes biodiversity by providing a valuable nectar source for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
- Potpourri
Although mealycup blue sage isn’t typically used as a culinary or medicinal herb, the aromatic leaves of Salvia farinacea have a similar scent to culinary sage. They can be dried and included in sachets or potpourri mixes, adding a subtle but pleasant aroma.
