Gentian Sage Salvia patens 'Cambridge Blue'

Water

The Cambridge Blue salvia requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, it's typically recommended to water it once every week with about 1 to 1.5 gallons, depending on the weather conditions and soil drainage. If the weather is particularly hot or dry, you may need to water more frequently. It is important to reduce watering in the winter when the plant is not actively growing.

Light

Cambridge Blue salvia thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal location for this plant is a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. While it can tolerate some shade, too little light can lead to sparse foliage and fewer blooms, so choose a sunny spot for the best growth and flowering.

Temperature

Cambridge Blue salvia performs best in a temperature range between 70°F and 85°F during the day and no colder than 50°F at night. It can survive minimum temperatures as low as 10°F if mulched properly during winter. However, it thrives in warm conditions and may need protection or be brought indoors in regions where temperatures drop below freezing for extended periods.

Pruning

Prune your Cambridge Blue salvia to remove spent flowers and encourage further blooming throughout the season. It's also beneficial to cut back the plant in late winter or early spring to promote healthy new growth. Deadheading, or removing old blooms, can be done regularly, and a more substantial pruning can be done once a year before the onset of the new growth period.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Cambridge Blue salvia thrives in well-draining, rich loam with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A good soil mix can be created using equal parts of garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand to enhance drainage.

Repotting

Cambridge Blue salvia should be repotted every 1-2 years or when it becomes root-bound, usually indicated by roots emerging from the drainage holes.

Humidity & Misting

Cambridge Blue salvia prefers moderate to high humidity levels but is quite adaptable and can thrive in average household humidity conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and maintain moist soil.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil.

• Hardiness zone

  8-10 USDA

Life cycle

Salvia patens 'Cambridge Blue', commonly known as Gentian Sage, begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in spring, either indoors or directly outside after the last frost. Upon germination, seedlings establish themselves with a set of true leaves and gradually develop into mature plants. During the growing season, this perennial forms a robust root system and foliage, followed by flowering, typically characterized by striking blue flowers which are highly attractive to pollinators. After blooming, around late summer to fall, pollinated flowers set seed, which can be collected for propagation or allowed to self-sow. As temperatures drop, Gentian Sage enters dormancy, with above-ground growth dying back while the roots endure the winter. With the return of warm weather, Salvia patens resumes growth from its rootstock, completing the annual cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Summer

• Salvia patens 'Cambridge Blue', commonly referred to as 'Gentian Sage', can be propagated effectively by seed. The most popular method of propagation for this plant is through sowing seeds in the springtime. To propagate by seed, one should start the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining seed starting mix, lightly covered with soil as they need light to germinate, and kept moist. The ideal temperature for germination is around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-24 degrees Celsius). Seedlings can then be moved to individual pots or trays once they're large enough to handle and eventually transplanted outdoors after the risk of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed adequately.