Blue

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Sage

Species

farinacea

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant beloved for its spring-summer blooms, which show themselves with a profusion of blue-tinged flowers gathered in scenic spike-like inflorescences that rise above the foliage, which are also appreciated by useful insects such as butterflies. Highly hardy, it tolerates hot, dry summers well, making it the ideal choice for flowerbeds and borders, even in relation to the current climate of rising temperatures. Easy to grow, it prefers soil with organic matter and well draining.

Variety description

In cultivation, it is a compact and very early variety. The inflorescences are dense with flowers and robust. They are used in flowerbeds due to their hardiness and tolerance of heat and dryness. With their numerous blue spike-like inflorescences they abundantly colour large flower beds throughout the spring-summer period, requiring little maintenance. It is the only blue flowering bedding plant with an upright habit and a height of 40-50 cm. Long-lasting.

Curiosities and special features

It belongs to the Labiatae botanical family like Salvia officinalis or mint.

The specific epithet farinacea refers to the slight pubescence of the flower calyxes and stems, which are covered with a fine, floury down to the touch.

Origin and distribution

The native range of this species extends from the south of the central United States to north-eastern Mexico where it grows as a perennial plant in dry biomes. Present-day varieties are found in all temperate climate zones.

Flower size

The flower is individually small, attributing refinement to the inflorescence in which it is grouped.

Leaf

Leaf has a lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

The luxuriant flowering period lasts from mid-spring to early autumn for 150 to 170 days, allowing you to admire the characteristic colour nuances of the inflorescences over a long period of the year.

Inflorescence

Spiky inflorescence that lends elegance and sinuosity to the plant.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, in perfect colour balance with the Inflorescence.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.4 to 0.5 m, perfect for creating heterogeneous groups in flowerbeds with other differently developed ornamentals.

Lifespan

Plant often cultivated as an annual in relation to the climatic conditions present.

Where to plant

Due to its abundant flowering and high rusticity, it is widely used to decorate flower beds, borders

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with a labial corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized spike-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 150 and 170 days. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Compact-growing variety, perfect for creating dense, well-proportioned monochrome groups.

Plant habit

Plant habit is visually reinforced by the scenic spike-like Inflorescences.

Branching

Theabundant branching gives the plant a high density of foliage and flowers.

PH

It prefers a Soil/medium pH between 5.5 and 5.8.

Soil preparation

To prepare the soil for spring transplanting, carry out 20/30 cm deep digging, removing any weeds and bulky stones, then bury organic or chemical slow-release fertiliser and break up the most compact clods with the help of a hoe. To improve the drainage of excess water, preventing water stagnation, continue by creating a raised flower bed by slightly bouldering the soil, then add professional quality substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm and carefully level out by preparing the planting holes according to a suitable density.

Sun exposure

It grows well in half shade, full sun, afternoon sun; it is recommended to place the plant in maximum light for better flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 16 and 18 °C. It adapts well to hot and dry summer climates, making it the optimal ornamental choice even under current climate scenarios. The biological temperature is between 6 and 32 °C.

Use

Appreciated by gardeners, landscapers and green enthusiasts at all levels of experience as a plant for use in:

Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

It is highly rustic, tolerating dry summer heat.

Soil

It prefers medium textured soil or soil tending towards sandy, with organic matter and good drainage.

Difficulty

An easy-to-grow variety, it requires an overall low level of management effort, which gives it added value.

Growing tips

Some useful cultivation measures aimed at achieving optimum vegetative growth and an abundant spring-summer flowering:

Expose the plant to maximum light Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Combinations with other plants

Due to its habit and spike-like inflorescences, it is ideal for creating both monochromatic groups and flower bed compositions with other ornamentals such as Begonia semperflorens, Coleus blumei, Lobularia maritima, Tagetes patula, Tagetes patula x erecta, Senecio cineraria, Solenostemon coleoides; it is advisable to choose and position the chosen species/varieties adopting a suitable planting density and considering the height reached by each individual specimen.

Planting

For bed planting, an average density of 20 plants per square metre is recommended in order to ensure proper development of each individual specimen, allowing it to express its vegetative vigour to the full and thus obtaining proportionate and harmonious final compositions. Position each seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the root balls, which must be well moistened; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Propagation

By seed or apical cutting.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from the aqueduct or canal, either manually or with an irrigation system. When transplanting, provide an initial abundant wetting by keeping the soil moisture constant and assist the seedling to take root properly in the new site. Subsequently allow the soil to dry out slightly between irrigation sessions, but avoid dry spells, and do not over-water to prevent stagnation with consequent root rot. It is advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening to prevent the spread of phytopathologies.

Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settlement, regularly apply a balanced fertiliser suitable for ornamental Species to the soil or medium at the foot of the plant, to be distributed in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

Pet safety

Toxicity to pets not known, avoid administration and consult your veterinarian in case of ingestion.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion of any part of the plant.

Tip

For transplanting into flower beds, choose low, well-branched plants, preferably with few open flowers and many buds. They will dry out faster, spreading out more and preventing weeds from growing. The plants will also be more densely flowered and strong in the bed, ready to withstand extreme weather events better. The plants attract beneficial insects and butterflies, bringing more life to the gardens.