Taxonomy of Blue Hill Salvia:
Even experts in
plant taxonomy have a difficult time with "Blue Hill" salvia plants. You'll encounter all of the following scientific names for plants similar to the one in the picture at right:
- Salvia x superba 'Blue Hill'
- Salvia x sylvestris 'Blue Hill'
- Salvia x sylvestris 'Blauhügel' (its name in Germany, where the plant began)
- Salvia nemorosa 'Blue Hill'
- Salvia nemerosa 'Blue Hill'
Blue Hill salvia plants sometimes bear the common name, "garden sage." "Blue Hill" is the
cultivar name.
Plant Type for Blue Hill Salvia:
Blue Hill salvia plants are
herbaceous perennials.
Characteristics of Blue Hill Salvia:
Blue Hill salvia plants put out small, lavender-blue flowers on spikes and reach 18"-20" in height, with a spread a bit less than that. The flowers are a lighter shade of blue than those found on
'May Night' salvia and
'Caradonna' salvia.
Sun and Soil Requirements for Blue Hill Salvia:
Grow Blue Hill 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 Blue Hill Salvia:
Blue Hill salvia flowers are best grown in
planting zones 4-8.
Care for Blue Hill Salvia:
If you
deadhead Blue Hill salvia flowers (i.e., remove spent blooms), the plants will flower all summer long. These perennials tend to flop over at the sides; to support them for better display, consider encasing the plants in a peony ring.
Uses for Blue Hill Salvia:
Blue Hill salvia leaves are fragrant enough to warrant drying, so that you may include them in potpourris.
Wildlife Attracted to Blue Hill Salvia:
Blue Hill salvia flowers
attract butterflies and bees. Fortunately, deer are
not attracted to these plants, making them useful for
deer control.
