Salvia patens Royal Blue

Salvia patens is a tuberous perennial of Mexican origin often cultivated as an annual in our climates. It is a highly frost sensitive plant. The incredible blue that gave it its name "gentian sage", as well as its large flowers of typical shape, fully justify its cultivation in all gardens. Its flowering adds relief and dynamism to flower beds, while its resistance to heat and drought makes it an ideal candidate for containers. It has a rapid growth rate. It prefers rich and well-drained soil, and a position in full sun.

Salvia patens is a plant from the Lamiaceae family, like all other sages. It is a perennial with an upright habit, reaching a height of 60 to 80cm (24 to 32in) and spreading 45cm (18in). Its stems bear large opposite, pubescent, triangular-shaped leaves of a bright green colour. It flowers from the year of sowing. The inflorescences appear from July to October, but is more floriferous in September. The flowers are arranged in clusters at the terminal part of apical stems. Its flowers, measuring 2 to 3cm (1in) in length, are quite large compared to those of most other sages. They are arranged in pairs along the stem and display a very pure blue colour, visible from afar. The nectar-rich flowering is attractive to bees and feeds many pollinating insects. It develops from a thick and tuberous root. It easily self-sows in well-drained and light soil.

Gentian sage is an ideal plant for sunny flower beds. The blue colour of its flowers pairs well with the intense pink of Salvia microphylla, which is at its peak in September. It can also be interesting to combine it with asters and plants with grey foliage (Artemisia, Senecio viravira), which require similar growing conditions.

With over 900 species of annuals, perennials, and bushes with soft wood, distributed all over the globe (except for very cold regions and tropical forests), the genus Salvia is the richest in the Lamiaceae family.