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Salvia patens (Gentian Sage)

Gentian Sage, Spreading Sage, Blue-Flowered Sage, Salvia patens Dark Blue, Salvia patens 'Oxford Blue'

AGM Award
Salvia Patens, Gentian Sage, Spreading Sage, Blue-flowered Sage, Salvia Patens Dark Blue, Salvia Patens 'Oxford Blue', Blue flowers
Salvia Patens, Gentian Sage, Spreading Sage, Blue-flowered Sage, Salvia Patens Dark Blue, Salvia Patens 'Oxford Blue', Blue flowers

Eye-catching, with maybe the deepest and purest blue flowers in the world of plants, Salvia patens (Gentian Sage) is an erect, tuberous perennial with showy racemes of slightly nodding, 2-lipped blue flowers, 2 in. long (5 cm). Blooming from mid-summer to mid-fall, the blossoms are borne above the foliage of ovate to triangular mid-green leaves, 3 in. long (8 cm). Native to Mexico, Salvia patens is fairly pest-free and low maintenance. Add this charming and graceful perennial to the landscape, and you will be rewarded with abundant butterflies, hummingbirds, and pollinating insects.

  • Tender, this plant is hardy to zones 8-10 and is generally treated as an annual in cooler areas.
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grow up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun, in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Light shade is tolerated.
  • Well-suited to beds and borders, wall-side borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, or cottage gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
  • Remove flower spikes as they fade to prolong flowering.
  • Propagate by seed sown in pots or by overwintering tubers in damp potting compost. Propagate by rooting basal cuttings or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer.

Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Here are some tips on how to plant and grow salvia successfully

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 8 - 9
Climate Zones 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Salvia nemorosa ‘Perfect Profusion’ (Sage)
Salvia Skyscraper Pink (Sage)
Salvia coccinea ‘Summer Jewel Lavender’ (Scarlet Sage)
Salvia Skyscraper Orange (Sage)
Salvia ‘Little Kiss’ (Sage)
Salvia involucrata ‘Bethellii’ (Rosy-Leaf Sage)

Recommended Companion Plants

Nicotiana ‘Lime Green’ (Flowering Tobacco)
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ (Coneflower)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)

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Salvia (Sage)
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Hardy Perennial Salvias (Sage)
Salvia guaranitica (Blue Anise Sage)
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
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Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 8 - 9
Climate Zones 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Salvia (Sage)
Guides with
Salvia (Sage)
Not sure which Salvia (Sage) to pick?
Compare Now

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