Mealy Blue Sage

Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun; part shade OK

Flowers: 4” spikes of beautiful blue, lavender, white or blue and white flowers mostly in spring, early summer and fall.

General Information: The native form of this plant is a perennial wildflower seen throughout Texas and usually looks great when you drive by and see it in full bloom. The nursery versions are more hybridized such as ‘Victoria,’ which has deep blue flowers and a white flowering variety is also available. They look awesome, even up close, and have no problem selling when in bloom.

Landscape Use: Look best mass planted. They are not the most dependable ground plants, year after year. They will give you some great color in the cooler growing months of spring, early summer, and fall for a few years. There are many more durable Salvias for the long term, but if you want something that looks great right now, it might be the one for you. More durable Salvias with similar flowers are ‘Henry Newburg’ that gets about three feet tall and ‘Indigo Spires’, a close relative of Blue Mealy Sage, which gets very large, up to 5 feet. A newer variety called ‘Mystic Spires’ is a smaller version of ‘Indigo Spires’ but has not been tested sufficiently here to recommend for the long term. Container Use: Looks good in pots. Be careful to let dry, without causing wilt, before re-watering.

Size: About two feet tall and one foot wide.

Type: Flowering perennial that is dependable for a couple of years. Deer Resistance: Deer resistant. Deer may eat the flowers a couple of times.

Butterflies/Hummingbirds: Butterflies and Hummingbirds love it. Drought Tolerance: Very drought tolerant but looks best with occasional watering.

Soil: Not particular about soil as long as it drains well and does not remain constantly wet. Does well in rocky soil or even better with soil enhancement.

Water: Smart Watering Principle=Water well when first planted then allow to dry slightly, without wilting, then water deeply again, etc. Do not keep constantly wet.

Fertilizer: Looks even better with regular fertilization.

Maintenance Tips: Sheer off old flowers frequently as needed. Rating: Rates high for a short time.