Mealy Blue Sage
(Salvia farinacea)
Family: Labiatae (Mint Family)
Other Common Names: Mealy Sage, Mealycup sage, Texas Violet Sage
Type: Perennial
Natural Habitat: Found in the southern portion of the U.S. and west to California. It is native to Texas and Mexico. It can be found further north. It is a very diverse plant and can be found in prairie plains, meadows, savannahs, and on the edge of woodlands. It will die back during a hard freeze.
Preferred Site and Use: It can be used as a border or planted in groupings. It provides a nice contrast to dark green foliage with its grayish cast. It is a good plant for rock gardens.
Deer Resistance: Once established it is rated high for being deer resistant.
Wildlife: Butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy the nectar as well as bees.
Light Tolerance: Full to partial sun.
Flowers: The densely congested ½-1" violet-blue flowers are spaced along the spike-like inflorescence and concentrated in whorls surrounding a square stem. The flowers are fragrant, often compared to grapes, and attract various pollinators. Flowers and stems are very soft to the touch and appear to be covered with silvery wool.
Bloom Period: Flowers bloom from early spring through the summer into early fall (September-October).
Fruit: Seeds are in capsules. As the capsules begin to dry the seeds should be collected before they drop from the capsules in late summer.
Leaves: The leaves on the lower part of the plant tend have longer petioles (leaf stalks) than the leaves on the upper part. The leaves are 1-3", long and thin with coarsely toothed margins.
Water Requirements: Xeric once established; however during very dry years watering early in the season proves beneficial to its growth. During times of severe drought watering is also suggested.
Soil Requirements: It is found on dry, limestone soils virtually throughout our area. It also does well in Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, and Clay based soils.
Mainenance: This native requires no maintenance once established; water only in severe droughts.
Planting Instructions: Space plants one foot apart. Dig hole at least two times wider than, but the same depth as the root ball in a nursery container. Sides of the hole should be irregular, not smooth. Remove plant from container, taking care to support the root ball. Loosen exterior roots gently with your fingers. If the plant is root bound and cannot be loosened by hand, the outer roots may be cut in several places. Lift the plant by the root ball and place in the hole. Backfill hole, using soil that was dug out. Do not add any soil to the top of the root ball but a thin layer of compost may be spread over the root ball and soil surface. Gently firm the soil with your hands, but do not tamp it down. Place 3-4 inches of mulch over the bare soil around, but not touching the plant base.
Watering Instructions after planting: Water deeply after planting to settle soil around roots and again in 4-5 days. Then every 7-10 days as needed, during the first growing season. Before watering check soil moisture at a depth of an inch or two at the edge of the root ball. Skip watering after a rainfall of ½ to 1 inch. Maintain this watering schedule until the first fall. Reduce watering during the cool and winter months. In a "normal" year, no watering may be necessary during the fall and winter, but during a dry year, monthly watering may be needed.
NICE! Tip: After an extended period of flowering you may wish to prune it halfway back to keep the plant from becoming leggy. It may delay flowering for a few weeks but makes your plant denser and thicker.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Month signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating Boerne nursery. And thank you for supporting native plants by using them in your landscapes.