Blue Sage
Salvia africana-caerulea
Photo by Going.Local (All rights reserved)
Full Sun
Easy care
Light watering
Frost Hardy
H4
RHS hardiness
-10°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
2m | Max | 2m |
1m | Min | 1m |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
Blue Sage Overview
Blue sage is a great addition to any garden with its pretty blue flowers. This low maintenance plant is easy to grow, drought-tolerant and attracts bees and butterflies. It has a long flowering period, from mid-winter to mid-summer, creating a pretty blue addition to your garden for long periods of time. The leaves are also edible and have medicinal properties.
Common problems with Blue Sage
Blue sage doesn't suffer from serious pest or disease problems but can be affected by crown gall and mint rust.
How to harvest Blue Sage
Leaves can be harvested year-round, simply pluck or cut them from the plant when needed. They are best when harvested before the plant flowers when the essential oil content of the leaves is at the highest.
How to propagate Blue Sage
Cuttings
Take cuttings from new growth near the base of the plant in spring or early summer. They root easily and respond well to regular feeding with an organic fertilizer.
Seed
Sow seeds indoors in autumn, spring or early summer in well-drained soil and keep moist. Transplant seedlings into the garden after a few weeks once they are strong enough.
Layering
Blue sage can be propagated through air layering.
Special features of Blue Sage
Drought resistant
The plants are drought-tolerant and need little water.
Pot plant
Sage makes a great and attractive pot plant, provided the container is large enough and well-drained.
Attracts useful insects
The flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Hedge plant
Makes a neat low-growing hedge and can be trimmed into shapes.
Other uses of Blue Sage
Medicinal plant and to flavour food.
