azure sage

Salvia azurea (azure sage) is a beautiful tubular flower that under natural conditions produces tall arching stems that terminate into large, often branching, flower spikes that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Also known as blue sage, this plant a clump-forming perennial that typically grows 3-5’ tall. Whorls of 2 lipped, azure blue flowers bloom in spikes from mid-summer to fall atop stiff stems clad with linear to lanceolate to obovate greyish-green leaves. If you rub or brush against the leaves, they will emit the aromatic smell typical of Salvia species. As its name suggests, azure sage produces bright blue flowers that bloom for long periods towards the end of summer. This sage is an excellent choice to not only add color to a garden but attract pollinators too!

Salvia azurea is easy to grow from seed and will spread a bit by seed into adjacent open areas. This plant has a tendency to “lodge” or flop over, especially in rich soils, so if you are not growing it in a plant community with grasses and other clumps to lean on, avoid fertilizer and possibly pinch or stake and provide sturdy neighboring plants with more mass to them.

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