Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'
Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria Blue’ is a compact mealycup sage grown for deep blue flower spikes. It stands out for tidy habit and long bloom from warm weather into frost in most regions. It performs best in full sun with well‑drained soil. It is a tender perennial in warm climates and is used as an annual elsewhere in North America. Foliage is lightly aromatic and attractive to pollinators. Plants stay relatively short, which suits edging and containers.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Mealycup sage
- Height × spread: 15-24 in × 9-18 in (38-61 cm × 23-46 cm)
- Bloom window: late spring to frost
- Color & flower form: deep blue, two‑lipped flowers on dense spikes
- Fragrance: 1 trace
- USDA hardiness: 8-10; grown as annual in colder zones
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Awards/registration: Plant of Merit (Missouri Botanical Garden)
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Shorter and denser than many blue salvias.
- Starts flowering earlier than taller hybrid types in warm sites.
- Spikes are thick and uniform for bedding displays.
Strengths
- Long season of bloom with routine deadheading.
- Tolerates heat and short dry spells once established.
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Deer tolerance commonly noted.
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun; light afternoon shade in hottest areas.
- Soil: average to lean, well‑drained; neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
- Water: moderate; allow top inch to dry between waterings after establishment.
- Feeding: light monthly feeding during bloom if soils are poor.
- Grooming: remove spent spikes to keep flowers coming; shear lightly midseason.
- Overwintering: take cuttings or lift and pot before frost in cold regions.
Watch‑outs
- Not winter hardy in cold regions.
- Can develop powdery or downy mildew in humid, stagnant air.
- Weak growth in shade or soggy soil.
Best uses (tags)
borders; containers; pollinators; massing; edging
Provenance note
An older selection in the bedding trade; widely grown and recognized as a Plant of Merit by Missouri Botanical Garden.
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden – Salvia farinacea ‘Victoria Blue’
- NC State Extension – Salvia farinacea (Mealycup Sage)
- Wisconsin Horticulture – Mealycup sage, Salvia farinacea
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
We are a small independent group of flower lovers who research and review each guide using trusted horticultural and educational sources. Learn more about us