Mealy Blue Sage

Location: Wildlife Plant Design

 Names:

  • Common Name: Mealy Blue Sage
  • Botanical Name: Salvia farinacea
  • AKA: Mealy Cup Sage, Mealy Sage

Description: This 2-3 ft. upright or sprawling perennial, usually forms a mound as wide as the plant is tall. Mealy sage is named for the mealy-white (sometimes purple) appearance of the sepals, which are covered with felted hairs. The blue flowers are 5-lobed and 2-lipped, 2/3-3/4 inch long, with 2 stamens and 1 pistil. They have the usual sage fragrance. The long, narrow leaves grow in clusters, out of which grow the flower stems. The leaves may or may not have teeth. Dark-blue to white, tubular flowers are densely congested in whorls along the upper stems, creating a 3-9 in. spike. Gray-green, lance-shaped leaves are numerous, especially in the lower portion of the plant.

Best Growing Conditions: Full Sun; Partial Shade; Low to Medium Water Demand; Moist Soil; Limestone Soils

Landscape Use: Deer Resistant, Rock Garden, Container

 Wildlife Value: Bees, Birds (specifically Hummingbirds), Butterflies (nectar source)