I hate to be a downer but patens, at least the cultivars I have tried seem to hate eastern humidity. I will admit I haven't tried this jumbo version. A fun true blue salvia that does work well in the east is macrophylla. Its flowers are rather small when compared to the size of the plant but they are true blue. I used to grow the tall form and it is one I would consider growing again. I think Kermit sells at least one type.