Gentian Sage Salvia patens 'Guanajuato'
ABOUT
Salvia patens 'Guanajuato', commonly known as Gentian Sage, is a striking flowering perennial known for its vibrant blue flowers. The plant features bright green, heart-shaped leaves that have a somewhat wrinkled appearance with serrated edges. These leaves are lush and create a contrasting backdrop for the blooms. The flowers themselves are large, tubular, and often described as a deep, eye-catching azure or cobalt blue, which is much sought after in garden settings due to the rarity of true blue colors in the floral world. Gentian Sage blooms form on long, arching stems that rise above the foliage, creating a dramatic and showy display. The individual flowers are arranged closely, and they have a velvety texture with small, white centers that add to their ornamental appeal. When in full bloom, the plant presents a spectacular splash of blue that can serve as a focal point in gardens or landscapes. The floral display usually occurs during the warmer months, often starting in late spring and continuing until the first frosts of fall, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees to the garden.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Gentian Sage, Cambridge Blue, Blue Angel, Spreading Sage.
Common names
Salvia patens 'Guanajuato'.
ToxicityTo humans
Gentle Giant salvia is not considered toxic to humans. However, consuming any plant material may cause gastrointestinal discomfort for some individuals. If you experience any symptoms after ingesting Gentle Giant salvia, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider.
To pets
Gentle Giant salvia is not considered toxic to pets. However, ingestion of plant material could potentially lead to mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals. If your pet shows any signs of distress after consuming Gentle Giant salvia, it is best to contact your veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Salvia patens 'Guanajuato', commonly known as Gentian Sage, is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to a garden.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its striking deep blue flowers, Gentian Sage adds vibrant color and beauty to garden beds, borders, or containers.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens with low water availability.
- Deer Resistance: Gentian Sage is generally deer resistant, which can be particularly beneficial in areas where deer predation is a problem for gardeners.
- Easy to Grow: It is considered easy to care for and does not require extensive maintenance, making it an excellent choice for novice gardeners.
- Extended Blooming Period: Gentian Sage typically blooms for a long duration from mid-summer to early fall, offering long-lasting visual interest.
- Culinary Use: While not specifically mentioned for medical or air purifying benefits, Gentian Sage leaves are sometimes used in small quantities as a flavoring in cooking.
- Edible Landscape: It can be integrated into an edible landscape for a dual purpose of aesthetics and culinary uses.
- Heritage Plant: Its rich cultural heritage as a native Mexican species can add an element of interest to a diverse garden collection.
- Companion Planting: It can be used in companion planting to complement a wide variety of other garden plants, adding to the overall health and diversity of the garden ecosystem.
- Soil Improvement: Like many sages, it can help improve soil quality over time through its root system and natural life cycle.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The deep blue flowers of Blue Sage can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, with varying shades achieved depending on the mordant used.
- In perfumery: Although not commonly used, Blue Sage has the potential for its unique aromatic properties to be incorporated into custom perfumes or scented products.
- As an artistic muse: The vibrant blooms of Blue Sage can inspire artists and are often depicted in watercolor paintings, nature prints, and floral designs.
- In eco-friendly confetti: Dried Blue Sage petals can be used as biodegradable confetti for celebrations, providing an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic confetti.
- As part of a pollinator garden: Planting Blue Sage can attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing necessary support to these important pollinators.
- As a teaching tool: Blue Sage can be used to educate students and gardening enthusiasts about plant evolution, pollinator relationships, and horticultural practices.
- In culinary decoration: Though not widely known for its edibility, the petals of Blue Sage can garnish desserts and salads for an added splash of color.
- For color-themed garden design: Blue Sage can be strategically planted in gardens seeking a specific color theme, such as a cool-colored or blue-hued garden.
- In floral crafts: The flowers of Blue Sage can be used in dried floral arrangements, wreaths, or potpourri, offering a lasting aesthetic appeal.
- As a natural potpourri: Alone or mixed with other aromatic herbs and spices, the fragrant leaves of Blue Sage can be dried and used to freshen the air in a room.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Gentian Sage is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Gentian Sage is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Salvia comes from the Latin word 'salvere', meaning 'to save' or 'to heal'. Salvia patens 'Guanajuato', or blue sage, is often associated with healing both in a physical and spiritual sense.
- Wisdom: Sage has traditionally been a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. Its use by ancient peoples as a cognitive enhancer adds to this symbolism.
- Longevity: Since sage is an evergreen plant and has medicinal properties, it is frequently associated with longevity and immortality.
- Cleansing: Sage is often used in smudging, a ritual to cleanse a space or person of negative energies, which imparts a symbolic meaning of cleansing and purifying.
- Protection: Due to its use in cleansing rituals, sage is also believed to offer protection against evil spirits and negative energies.
WaterThe Gentian Sage should be watered deeply but infrequently once established, as it thrives in soil that is moist but well-draining. Generally, watering every 7 to 10 days would suffice, ensuring that the top inch of soil dries out between watering. During hot summer spells or if planted in containers, the watering frequency might need to increase. When watering, aim for approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per plant, being careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
LightGentian Sage prefers full sun to partial shade conditions. It flourishes best in an area where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid deep shade locations, as this can lead to poor flowering and leggy growth.
TemperatureGentian Sage is frost-sensitive and thrives in temperatures between 50°F and 85°F. It can survive minimum temperatures down to 40°F for short periods, but prolonged exposure can be detrimental. The optimal growing conditions for this plant are warm days and cooler nights within this temperature range.
PruningGentian Sage benefits from pruning to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Prune in the early spring to remove any dead or frost-damaged stems and again after the first flush of blooms to promote a second flowering period. Pruning should be light, removing only about a third of the plant’s overall height.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Gentian Sage (Salvia patens 'Guanajuato') should be rich, well-draining, and loamy with a pH range of 6 to 7. Incorporate organic matter like compost into the mix to enhance fertility and ensure good drainage by adding perlite or coarse sand.
RepottingGentian Sage should be repotted every 1 to 2 years to refresh soil, provide space for root growth, and prevent nutrient depletion. Mature plants can be divided during repotting to propagate new plants.
Humidity & MistingGentian Sage thrives in moderate humidity conditions, typically between 40% to 60%. Avoid overly dry air, which can lead to leaf wilting, and provide occasional misting if the indoor air is too dry.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Gentian Sage in bright, indirect light indoors with good airflow.
Outdoor
Plant Gentian Sage in partial shade with moist, fertile soil outdoors.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycle'Guanajuato' Giant Blue Sage (Salvia patens 'Guanajuato') begins its life cycle as a small seed which, when sown in moist, well-draining soil and given adequate warmth and light, will germinate and sprout into a seedling. As the plant grows, it develops a set of true leaves and a sturdy stem, entering the vegetative stage where it rapidly increases in size. This perennial then produces buds which open into striking, large, deep blue flowers, typically during the summer months, attracting pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After the flowering period, pollinated flowers will set seed, which can be collected for propagation or left to self-sow in the garden. During the autumn, as temperatures begin to drop, the above-ground parts of the plant may die back, with the roots going dormant through winter, especially in areas with colder climates. In spring, the plant will regrow from its rootstock to complete the cycle, or it may be propagated from rhizome divisions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The most popular method for propagating Salvia patens ‘Guanajuato’, commonly known as Gentian Sage, is through seed sowing. Propagation is best done in the spring after the last frost when soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently. To propagate Gentian Sage by seeds, one typically sows them directly into well-drained soil or starts them indoors in a seed tray filled with a sterile seed starting mix. The seeds need light to germinate, so they are usually pressed gently onto the soil surface or covered with a very thin layer of soil. If starting indoors, seeds should be kept moist and at a temperature of about 70°F (21°C). Germination usually occurs within two to three weeks. Once the seedlings have grown sufficiently and have at least a pair of true leaves, they can be transplanted to their final location in the garden.
