Salvia azurea – Blue Sage

A cold-hardy sage with gorgeous sky blue to pale blue flowers – for late season color this species is hard to beat. Plus it’s attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. The plant’s only drawback is that it sends up long stems that arch and flop, creating quite a lax habit. Either grow it among other plants for support or tip-prune the plants a couple of times – late Spring and early Summer – to keep the plant compact. There are two varieties: var. azurea from the Southeast with smaller flowers and a very lax habit; and var. grandiflora, often called Pitcher Sage, with a more westerly distribution. Our plants are probably the latter variety. Prefers a well-drained, alkaline soil and can benefit from a yearly dusting of lime.