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Native alternative(s) for Salvia uliginosa:
Salvia lyrata Salvia lyrata
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Saururus cernuus Saururus cernuus
Verbena bonariensis Form
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea

Sky-blue Sage Salvia uliginosa

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
SAL-vee-ah ew-li-gi-NO-suh
Description

Sky-blue (or bog) sage is an open, upright, spreading species of Salvia, sometimes listed as a half-hardy annual, native to Brazil and northern Argentina. The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin term salveo, which means ‘be well’ and refers to the plant's medicinal properties. It is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family and grows 4 to 5 feet in height and 4 to 8 feet in width. 

This salvia performs best in full sun and thrives in damp to boggy soil. It tolerates poorly drained soils, but will also grow well in ordinary garden soil. 

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. Blooming from spring through summer, the blue flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. American goldfinches will visit them for the seeds.

Use this sage in a mass planting in riparian or naturalized areas. It is also a wonderful addition to a butterfly, cottage, or pollinator garden. 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. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems. However, it may become weedy 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. 

More information on Salvia.

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Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#riparian#cottage garden#wetlands#mass planting#fast growing#summer flowers#deer resistant#rhizomes#border planting#pollinator plant#marshes#poor soils tolerant#border back#sandy soils tolerant#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#weed#boggy sites
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#riparian#cottage garden#wetlands#mass planting#fast growing#summer flowers#deer resistant#rhizomes#border planting#pollinator plant#marshes#poor soils tolerant#border back#sandy soils tolerant#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#weed#boggy sites
  • 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. American goldfinches eat the seeds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Dense
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Description:
    Schizocarp has 4 chambers with 1 nutlet each
  • 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
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Poor Soil
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy