Big Blue Salvia delivers towering spikes of brilliant, deep blue flowers that bloom nonstop from midsummer to frost, creating a striking accent in garden beds, borders, or large containers. This vigorous, seed-grown hybrid is celebrated for its lush, bushy foliage and exceptional heat and drought tolerance, thriving with minimal care. Its nectar-rich blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a pollinator favorite for sunny landscapes.
Salvia Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow Big Blue Salvia seeds outdoors in late spring, after the last frost date, when soil temperatures are consistently above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This salvia thrives in warm weather and is frost-sensitive.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Big Blue Salvia excels in sandy or loamy soils and tolerates hot, dry conditions.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches and mix in compost to boost fertility. While specific pH preferences aren’t widely documented, a neutral range of 6.0-7.5 is generally suitable for annual salvias.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds on the soil surface and press lightly to ensure contact. Do not cover deeply, as Salvia seeds often benefit from light exposure for germination.
- Space seeds or thin seedlings to 16-18 inches apart to accommodate the plant’s robust growth.
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist until seeds germinate, typically within 7-14 days. Once established, Big Blue Salvia is drought-tolerant but performs best with occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Start Big Blue Salvia seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date.
- Containers: Use seed trays or small pots with good drainage, filled with a light, well-draining seed-starting mix.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds on the soil surface and press gently to ensure contact. Avoid burying deeply.
- Mist the soil to keep it moist without saturating it.
- Germination:
- Maintain a temperature of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 7-14 days.
- Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost when soil temperatures exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit and plants have 2-3 sets of true leaves. Space plants 16-18 inches apart.
General Care Tips for Salvia
- Sunlight: Provide full sun for optimal growth and flowering. Big Blue Salvia requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily but tolerates light shade.
- Watering: Water consistently during establishment and in hot, dry conditions. Once mature, it thrives with minimal water, preferring well-drained soil to avoid sogginess.
- Fertilizing: Incorporate compost into the soil before planting. Apply a balanced fertilizer once during the growing season to support vigorous growth and blooming.
- Pruning: No deadheading is required, as Big Blue Salvia blooms continuously. Pinch young plants after the first four leaves to encourage branching and a bushier form.
- Pest and Disease Control: This salvia is largely pest- and disease-resistant. Ensure good spacing for airflow to minimize risks of fungal issues in humid conditions.
- Harvesting:
- For Flowers: Cut spikes when fully open for fresh arrangements or when dry for long-lasting dried displays. Harvest above a leaf node to promote further blooming.
- Storage: Store fresh-cut flowers in water for up to a week. For dried flowers, hang stems upside down in a cool, ventilated area to retain color and shape.
