Blue Spike Sage Salvia uliginosa
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-ah ew-li-gi-NO-suh
- Description
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Sky-blue sage is an open, upright, spreading species of Salvia (sometimes listed as a half-hardy annual). Its ornamental appeal is the continuous display of small, clear sky blue flowers produced on the upright spikes. The flowers open in the morning and fall by late afternoon in hot weather but are replaced by newly opening flowers the next morning.
This salvia thrives in damp to boggy soil (common name is Bog Sage), tolerates poorly drained soils, but will also grow well in ordinary garden soil. It is best planted at the back of the border as it could benefit from staking or mixing with other plants to hold it upright. It may become invasive in wet soils, spreading underground by rhizomes.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. - Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- uliginosa
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Layering
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Eastern & Southern Brazil to Northern Argentina
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a favorite nectar source for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, particularly the European wool carder bee, Anthidium manicatum.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10b, 10a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Poor Soil
- Wet Soil
