Blue Sage Seeds (Salvia farinacea) 100 seeds
Dressed in bright blue, these wildflower spikes are super easy to grow. This perennial hails from Texas, so it can handle a lot of heat and drought. It has a wild look and might seem a bit messy in a polished garden.
Salvia Farinacea, also known as "Salvia Azurea", is a versatile plant. This native sage has been used for medicinal, ornamental, and culinary purposes for ages. The first botanical classification of this plant family was done by British botanist George Bentham in his important 19th-century work, Genera Plantarum. The genus name "Salvia" is derived from the Latin word "salvere", which means "to heal," highlighting the plant's healing properties.
Common Names: Mealycup Sage, Mealy Sage
Latin Name: Salvia farinacea
Species Origin: Native Wildflower from the US
Type: Native Wildflowers
Life Cycle: Perennial
USDA Zones: 2 through 12
US Regions: California, Mountain areas, Arid/Desert regions, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern states, Northeast, Southeast
Seeds per Ounce: 23,000
Stratification: No need for Stratification
Germination Ease: No Stratification required
Sunlight: Prefers Full Sun
Height: Reaches 18 Inches
Color: Blue
Bloom Season: Flowers in Late Summer
Uses: Attracts Pollinators, Honeybees, Hummingbirds, Suitable for Cut Flowers, Resistant to Deer
Sowing: Plant directly in late fall, pressing the seeds into the soil surface because this plant requires light for germination. If you're planting in spring, combine the seeds with damp sand and keep them in the fridge for 30 days before you plant. Make sure to keep the soil slightly moist until the seeds germinate, which typically takes about 1-2 weeks.
Growing: Regularly water the seedlings until they are well established. This plant grows rapidly and doesn't need much attention, but watering during dry spells will enhance its blooming. Once mature, the plants can handle heat and drought, and they thrive in sandy or rocky soils. Trim back the growing stems to promote bushier growth. This plant is a magnet for bees and butterflies, and it will self-seed unless you cut it back after it flowers.
Harvesting: When you're ready to cut flowers, select stems with blooms that have just opened. Remove any leaves that will be submerged in water, and place the stems in water right away.
Seed Saving: The flower spike will turn brown and dry as the seeds start to develop. Keep an eye on the plant, as the seeds can easily blow away in the wind. Gently shake the ripe brown heads over a container to collect the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry location.
