Scientific Name:
Salvia farinacea
(incl. hybrids)
Pronunciation:
SAL-vee-uh far-ih-NAY-see-uh
Common Name:
mealy-cup sage
Family Name:
Lamiaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Stems 4-sided; leaves opposite, lanceolate (species) to ovate, most blades 5-10cm long x 2-4cm wide, margin irregularly crenate-serrate, shiny, drooping; spike-like verticillasters 10-20cm long, flowers two-lipped, tubular, violet-blue (purple, lavender, white and bicolor cvs.), calyx with powdery white felted hairs ("mealy cup"), Jul-Oct.
Habit:
Stiffly upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Mexico, U.S. - southwest (Texas)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 8a: (-12 to -9.5 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract birds, Bedding plant, Container planting, Filler, Group or mass planting, Perennial border
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars on shown may include
S. 'Black & Bloom',
S. 'Sallyfun',
S. 'Victoria Blue', and
S. 'Mystic Spires Blue' (S. longispicata x S. farinacea).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Lustrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Silver / Grayish
Shapes:
Lanceolate, Ovate
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Cuneate
Margins:
Crenate, Serrate
Inflorescence Type:
Verticillaster, Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Blue, Violet, Purple
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy, Ovary separates into four tiny mericarps or "nutlets" that are enclosed in a persistent calyx
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Mildew, Rust (Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant)
Course(s):
- HORT 1155
Location(s):
- (BCE) Boulevard (Circular) Eastend
- (BED) BEDding, container, or basket
- (HPZ) Horticulture PlaZa