Salvia farinacea Victoria

A perennial in its native land, the Salvia farinacea 'Victoria', also known as mealy sage, is grown as an annual in most regions except in very hot climates. From summer to autumn, this elegant variety offers superb dark blue flower spikes grouped on violet stems that rise above greyish-green foliage in a particularly refined colour combination. It is suitable for flower beds, borders, and flower beds. It is also a lovely cut flower.

The Salvia farinacea is a perennial plant in the Lamiaceae family that is native to Texas and Mexico. Its low hardiness and rapid growth make it an excellent annual under most of our climates. The 'Victoria' cultivar has an elegant, spiky and bushy habit, in tufts of 45 cm (18in) in all directions. It forms clusters of very original violet stems, covered with greyish-green foliage, with slightly toothed lanceolate aromatic leaves, covered on the underside with a white down. From June to October, upright and flexible spikes appear, covered with tiny white hairs adorned with dark and intense blue petals. Mealy sages get their name from their stems covered with a light bloom.

The 'Victoria' mealy sage is perfect in a flower bed with roses, marigolds, or rudbeckias. It will enhance large-flowered peonies, emphasising their romantic side. It can also be combined with grasses, gauras, and emerge from the silver foliage of wormwood. This plant also forms pretty borders, along pathways, it can be planted among silver mound (Cerastium tomentosum) which will carpet its base in a gentle harmony of muted tones. Its lavender-like spikes hold up well in a vase.