Taxonomy of Victoria Blue Salvia:
Plant taxonomy classifies "Victoria Blue" salvia plants as Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue.' "Victoria Blue" is the cultivar name. A common name for these plants is "mealy-cup sage," a name that derives from the fuzzy appearance of the flowers of its wild ancestor. Another common name for them is "flowering sage."
Plant Type for Victoria Blue Salvia:
Victoria Blue salvia plants are herbaceous perennials in their native Texas and Mexico but, in northern climes, are usually treated as annual plants.
Characteristics of Victoria Blue Salvia:
Victoria Blue salvia plants reach 18"-24" tall, with a similar spread. The deep blue flowers run up and down 8"-10" flower spikes. The foliage is also attractive, being a grayish-green. Blooms all summer long.
Sun and Soil Requirements for Victoria Blue Salvia:
Grow Victoria Blue salvia flowers in a sunny area with a well-drained soil. Although drought-tolerant once established, a moderate amount of water must be supplied to young plants.
Planting Zones for Victoria Blue Salvia:
Victoria Blue salvia flowers are cold-hardy to planting zone 7.
Care for Victoria Blue Salvia:
Deadheading is not considered mandatory for Victoria Blue salvia plants, but it is not a bad idea to deadhead them if you're striving for optimal flowering. Some Northern gardeners prefer to let Victoria Blue salvia flowers go to seed, hoping for naturalization.
Uses for Victoria Blue Salvia:
Victoria Blue salvia plants are often treated as bedding plants and massed together to form a "sea of blue." In round container gardens, install a Victoria Blue salvia plant in the middle, and let shorter plants in complementary colors trail over the edge. For those who like to bring the garden inside, Victoria Blue salvia flowers can be used in cut-flower arrangements or dried for a longer-lasting display.
Wildlife Attracted to Victoria Blue Salvia:
Victoria Blue salvia flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Fortunately, deer are not attracted to Victoria Blue salvia plants, making them useful for deer control.
Outstanding Feature of Victoria Blue Salvia:
The deep blue color of Victoria Blue salvia flowers are no doubt the plants' outstanding feature. Deep, true blue (as opposed to a purplish blue) is a highly sought after color in annual flowers.
