General Plant Information (Edit)
| Plant Habit: |
Herb/Forb
|
| Life cycle: |
Perennial
|
| Sun Requirements: |
Full Sun to Partial Shade
|
| Water Preferences: |
Wet Mesic
|
| Minimum cold hardiness: |
Zone 8a -12.2 °C (10 °F) to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
|
| Maximum recommended zone: |
Zone 9b
|
| Plant Height: |
36 - 48 inches |
| Plant Spread: |
24 inches |
| Leaves: |
Other: Furry, Sticky stems
|
| Flowers: |
Showy
|
| Flower Color: |
Blue
Other: Cobalt blue, Electric blue, True blue
|
| Bloom Size: |
1"-2"
|
| Flower Time: |
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Other: Deadheading flowers and stems ensures more flowering throughout the season.
|
| Uses: |
Cut Flower
Suitable as Annual
|
| Wildlife Attractant: |
Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
|
| Resistances: |
Deer Resistant
|
| Containers: |
Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
|
| Parentage: |
Salvia macrophylla x S. sagittata |
Posted by
Maypop95 (North Florida - Zone 9a) on Jul 31, 2022 9:44 AM concerning plant:
One of my favorite Salvias. I've had them for years and the flowers are incredibly blue and while the plant is sterile it is not without nectar, they are highly attractive to large native bumblebees and hummingbirds.
It can tolerate humid heat unlike many other closely related blue Salvia species (eg S patens) however it needs correct siting.
In FL, a trick is to place it in an area under a tree where St. Augustine lawn grass does not need irrigation. They like moist soil with decent humus layer such as that found under thin-leaved deciduous trees. My most impressive ones are beneath a neighbors Crape Myrtle. They regularly form roots on their stems like tomatoes which makes propagation easy.
Foliage is a pebbled apple green and complements the glossy dark green of many shade plants (eg red star anise and camellia). Flowers look great with firebush too.
Posted by
Marilyn (Kentucky - Zone 6a) on Jun 28, 2012 11:39 PM concerning plant:
I ordered 'Big Swing' again and potted it up into a 24" container along with other Salvias this year. Hasn't bloomed yet, but it is looking great! When it's in full bloom, the flowers are stunning, so I'm going to be ordering it each year! I only got one plant this year, as it's a big plant.
Posted by
Marilyn (Kentucky - Zone 6a) on Sep 26, 2011 4:45 PM concerning plant:
Betsy Clebsch hybrid between Big Leaf Sage (S. macrophylla) and Arrowleaf Sage (S. sagitata).
I grew this in a large 20 inch mixed container and the flowers are an Electric Blue color! Hummers attracted to them. Next year I'm going to get it and plant it in a larger container. It does need a lot of water to do well. Gorgeous! Love it!
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