How to Grow Perennial Blue Salvia

Perennial blue salvia, Salvia x superba, bear slender, terminal racemes of bright violet or purple flower from midsummer to early autumn.

Perennial blue salvia is a clump-forming, erect, branched perennial with lance-shaped mid-green leaves. It grows up to 3 feet (91cm) tall. It grows best in Zones 5 to 9.

Table of Contents

Get to know perennial blue salvia

Plant type: Perennial
Growing Zones and range: Zones 4-8
Hardiness: Hardy to -20°F (-29°C)
Height and width: 12-36 inches (30-91cm) tall; 12 to 24 inches (30-61cm) wide
Foliage: Lance-shaped to oblong, scalloped, mid-green leaves to 4 inches long
Flowers: 2-lipped, the upper lips erect and hooded, the lower one 2-toothed and more spreading on spikes
Flower colors: Bright violent or purple
Bloom time: Early to midsummer
Uses: Beds, borders
Garden companions: Shasta daisies, yarrow
Common name: Perennial blue salvia
Botanical name: Salvia x superba
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical regions

Where to plant perennial blue salvia

Plant perennial blue salvia in full sun to light shade.
Grow perennial blue salvia in humus-rich, well-drained soil.

Salvia uses and companions

Plant Salvias in beds and borders and containers.
Salvias are effective in a sunny border, light woodland, or wildflower meadow.
Many Salvia species attract bees.
Good garden companions for Salvia include Achillea, Coreopsis, Gazania, Gerbera jamesonii, Heuchera, Potentilla, Rudbeckia.

Perennial blue salvia, Salvia superba — Perennial blue salvia, *Salvia superba*

When to plant perennial blue salvia

Set perennial blue salvia in the garden in spring or fall.
Start seed indoors 8 weeks before the last frost.
Sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
Set plants started indoors in the garden after the last frost when the weather has settled.

Planting and spacing perennial blue salvia

Start seed indoors in flat or six-packs; cover seeds with 1/8 inch of soil.
Water and keep seed warm 65° to 75°F (18°-24°C); seeds germinate in about 14 days, sometimes less. Grow in bright sunlight or a few inches below fluorescent light.
Sow seed outdoors in drills about 2 inches (5cm) deep; plant seeds 2 inches (5cm) and cover with 1/8 inches of soil.
Thin or transplant seedlings when they are about 4 inches (10cm) tall.
Space salvias in the garden 8 to 36 inches (20-91cm) apart depending on the variety.

How to water and feed perennial blue salvia

Keep the soil evenly moist; perennial blue salvia needs moderate moisture.
Fertilize perennial blue salvia every 6 weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer or work in a slow-release fertilizer in spring.

Perennial blue salvia care

Mulch around perennial blue salvia to conserve soil moisture.
Trim off spent blooms to promote additional blooms.
Tall varieties may need staking.
Perennial blue salvia is commonly pest and disease-free.
Perennial blue salvia can be divided in spring.

Perennial blue salvia propagation

Grow annual salvias from seed; grow perennials from seed or by division.
Seeds germinate in 12 to 15 days at 70°F (21°C); soak seeds of Salvia splendens to speed germination.
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost for early blooms.
All salvias can be grown from stem cuttings. Take stem cuttings during warm weather. Root under high humidity in damp potting medium.