Big Blue
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More details about Big Blue
Salvia longispicata x farinacea. This impressive Salvia was a show stopper in our field trials, with tall spikes of true blue flowers that attracted bumble bees and other bees from mid-summer to the first frost. It bloomed right into late October in our trials. The deep green foliage beneath the flowers is thick and lush and totally trouble free. Big Blue Salvia is an interspecific hybrid, and the first of its type to flower from seed in the first year. No deadheading or further care is needed. It performs best in full sun, but will tolerate dappled shade, and grows 60-90cm (24-36″) tall in beds or large containers. Space the burly, drought tolerant plants 40-45cm (16-18″) apart.
Annual – can be grown as a perennial with winter protection
Quick Facts:
- Flowers the first year
- Height to 90cm (36″)
- Works in large containers
- Highly attractive to bees
All About Big Blue
Latin
Latin
Salvia longispicata x farinacea
Family: Laminaceae
Difficulty
Difficulty
Easy but slow
Season & Zone
Season & Zone
Exposure: Full sun – some afternoon shade is appreciated
Zone: Hardy to Zone 8 given frost protection. Otherwise grown as an annual.
Timing
Timing
Start indoors late winter to early spring. Transplant out or direct sow starting two weeks after the last frost date. Starting indoors may be more reliable, particularly if using bottom heat and maintaining optimal soil temperature at 15-21°C (60-70°F). Seeds should sprout in 2 to 3 weeks.
Starting
Starting
Sow seeds 3mm (1/8″) deep, and keep soil just moist, not wet. Thin to 40-45cm (16-18″) apart.
Growing
Growing
Prior to transplanting, work the soil to a depth of 30cm (12″) to improve drainage. If transplanting to a container, add a quantity of grit or perlite to achieve the same end.
How to Grow Salvia
Step 1: Timing
Start indoors late winter to early spring. Transplant out or direct sow starting two weeks after the last frost date. Starting indoors may be more reliable, particularly if using bottom heat and maintaining optimal soil temperature at 15-21°C (60-70°F). Seeds should sprout in 2 to 3 weeks.
Step 2: Starting
Sow seeds 3mm (1/8″) deep, and keep soil just moist, not wet. Thin to 40-45cm (16-18″) apart.
Step 3: Growing
Prior to transplanting, work the soil to a depth of 30cm (12″) to improve drainage. If transplanting to a container, add a quantity of grit or perlite to achieve the same end.
Big Blue (Salvia)
(24-36 in/61-91 cm) Vigorous flowering annual in a beautiful clear blue color. Performs great in heat, low maintenance with no deadheading required. Pollinator friendly. Pkt contains 10 seeds.
(24-36 in/61-91 cm) Vigorous flowering annual in a beautiful clear blue color. Super easy and super showy for back of border plantings. Performs great in heat, low maintenance with no deadheading required. Pollinator friendly. Pkt contains 10 seeds.
SALVIA
Annual (12-36 in/20-91 cm)
Approx. 7,500 seeds per oz/28 g
GREENHOUSE: Sow Feb. 1st-15th for combination pots, Feb. 25th – Mar. 15th for May-June sales. 1 oz/28 g sows 6 (20×12 in/51×31 cm) flats @ 750-800 seedlings per flat. Sow as thinly as possible in Jiffy Mix for husky seedlings. Water flats thoroughly with 70 ° F/21 ° C water. Press seed firmly into marks, do not cover (needs some light to germinate). Germinate @ 75 ° F/24 ° C soil temperature, use bottom heat for 5-14 days. Transplant in 15-20 days, do not handle seedlings by the stems use the leaf. Plant at same depth as seedling, no deeper. Shade transplants until they become established. Grow @ 55-60 ° F/13-16 ° C. Use well drained sandy soil without gas or high salt residues.
DIRECT SOWING: Sow outdoors May 30th, transplant in 10 days. Dwarf types 8 in/20 cm apart, tall types 16 in/41 cm apart.