Salvia farinacea (Mealy Sage)

Salvia farinacea, commonly known as Mealycup Sage or Blue Sage, is an ornamental perennial valued for its colorful flower spikes and reliable garden performance.

Native to Texas, New Mexico, and northeastern Mexico, this member of the mint family forms neat clumps of upright stems with narrow green leaves. Plants typically reach 1 to 3 feet in height and are widely grown for their long season of bloom.

The species receives its common name from the pale, powdery coating that often appears on the flower calyces and stems. Tall spikes of tubular flowers rise above the foliage and are most commonly deep blue or violet, although white, lavender, and bicolored cultivars are also available.

Salvia farinacea performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates heat, drought, and periods of neglect better than many bedding plants. Regular deadheading can encourage additional flowering, although many modern cultivars bloom heavily with minimal maintenance. The plant is equally useful in borders, pollinator gardens, containers, and mass plantings.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 8-11. In colder climates it is commonly grown as an annual, while in warmer regions it may persist as a short-lived perennial.