Viewing post #944672 by Marilyn

flaflwrgrl said:I have had this salvia twice. Once down in southeast FL in zone 10 and once here in north FL in zone 8. The one in zone 10 did well for me but it did get some shade during the day & I believe that was necessary with what the FL sun can do to plants. However, we moved before I even had the plant for a year so I really can't say long term how it performed there.
As to it's performance here in zone 8, it was not good. I got 2 plants and planted them in full sun & they did not survive the summer heat & sun. The area they were planted in does test a plants mettle and this did not pass the test. I keep hearing how tough it and all salvias are but as to the Black & Blue; it's not tough enough for here unless you baby it some. I am looking for plants that can really take what mother nature dishes out. The daylilys take it but the black & blue salvia couldn't hold up to it.

@flaflwrgrl

I suggest you plant 'Black and Blue' with afternoon shade, since you're in zone 8b FL. Even though I plant my Black and Blue mostly in containers (20 inch or larger) in full sun here in Northern KY zone 6a, they still wilt some with high heat and the drought.

I really like the info @chelle zone 5b stated, "Mine do get full sun here, but they're shaded in the latter part of the day...say from maybe 5:00 on. The ones that preform the best here are those planted in a mix of composted manure and lots of sand. They don't require much additional water here to look good, but they bloom better if they don't go too long between moist spells." Great idea for next year! Maybe I can top dress mine with some compost for this year.

@beckygardener You're in zone 10a FL. Can you as a fellow FL gardener give some tips to Ann (flaflwrgrl)?

@mellielong As another FL grower (zone 9b), can you offer Ann some tips also?