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    Salvia farinacea 'Strata'

    Bicolor Mealy Cup Sage

    This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

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    Item #: 1899

    Zones: 7a to 10b

    Dormancy: Winter

    Height: 15" tall

    Culture: Sun to Part Sun

    Origin: United States

    Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


    This new seed strain of mealy cup sage has the same upright growth habit as other S. farinacea hybrids. The difference is that S. Strata is much shorter to 15" tall x 10" wide, and the terminal flower spikes that flower consistently from late spring thru fall are bicolor blue and white...very cool! All S. farinacea hybrids should be hardy to 0 F, if they are planted in well drained soils, and not cut back until spring.

    Maintenance:

    Salvia farinacea is a very low maintenance plant. Most often, all it needs is to be cut to the ground at some point between a hard frost in fall and before new growth starts in spring. It can be cut to the ground in late summer if it has become shabby. It will soon be back in growth and blooming up to frost. Most years it does not need this treatment.

    Salvia farinacea is a clump former and not a runner so it does not need to be reined in. It can produce some seedlings which in some gardens would be a sign of success but if one is attempting to maintain a particular clone, then it might be best to eliminate the seedlings because they might not be true to type.

    Growing Conditions:

    Full sun all day produces the most bloom, sturdy self supporting stems and clean foliage. Powdery mildew is rarely a problem when grown in sun but can be a problem when grown in part sun. Salvia farinacea is adaptable to a range of soil types except for soggy. It is quite drought tolerant.

    Natural Impact:

    Vertical spikes of blue (or white) are a valuable contrast to the shapes and colors of so many other flowering plants and they are produced all summer into fall. The flowers are highly visited by many species of bees and other pollinators and for that reason alone should be included in any sunny garden. All day long the flower spikes are animated by visiting bumblebees, bobbing back and forth. They are also a good cut-flower. And salvias are not usually eaten by deer or rabbits.