Salvia farinacea (Mealycup Sage)
Botanical Information
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Salvia |
| Species | farinacea |
| Category | Annuals |
| Origin | Native to Texas and Mexico. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8 - 10 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cool season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H5 - H2 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -12 - 4 |
| Temperature (°F) | 10 - 40 |
| Height | 90 cm |
| Spread | 60 cm |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | May, June, July, August, September, October |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | A shrubby perennial with violet-blue flowers and drooping, grey-green leaves. The flowers of the many cultivars range from white to purple or blue, with some being bicolour. |
| Landscape | Wonderful addition to flower beds, borders, and cutting gardens. |
| Propagation | Propagate by seed or cuttings under mist and bottom heat. |
| Cultivation | Grows as a warm weather annual in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates poor soils and some drought. |
| Pests | Downy and powdery mildew may cause problems. |
| Habitat | Clump-forming habit. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The upper part of the stems are covered with white powdery felting. |
| Leaf Description | Leaves are grey-green and drooping, up to 7.5 cm in length. |
| Flower Description | Flowers are violet-blue with two lips, appearing on terminal racemes from May until first frost. |
| Fruit Description | Fruit consists of 4 smooth nutlets. |
Photographs
Salvia farinacea 'Cathedral Lavender'.
Salvia farinacea 'Cathedral Purple'.
Salvia farinacea 'Cathedral Sky Blue'.
Salvia farinacea 'Cathedral White'.
Salvia farinacea 'Velocity Blue'.
Salvia farinacea 'Victoria'.
Salvia farinacea 'Argent'.