African Sky Salvia Salvia 'African Sky'
ABOUT
Salvia 'African Sky' is a captivating plant that boasts a bushy and spreading habit. It is adorned with an abundance of vivid blue flowers that provide a striking contrast against its lush green foliage. These tubular blooms are particularly eye-catching and tend to draw in pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, creating a dynamic and interactive display in any garden space. The leaves of Salvia 'African Sky' are aromatic when crushed, releasing a pleasant fragrance that further adds to the plant's charm. The plant flourishes in full sun, developing into a robust and full-bodied presence that remains visually appealing throughout its blooming season.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
African Sky Sage, African Blue Sage
Common names
Salvia 'African Sky'.
ToxicityTo humans
African Blue Sage (Salvia 'African Sky') is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There is no significant evidence indicating that this plant is poisonous or that it would cause harmful effects if small quantities were ingested. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities may exist, and it's always prudent to avoid consuming plant material that is not explicitly intended for human consumption.
To pets
African Blue Sage (Salvia 'African Sky') is not typically known to be toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. There are no widely recognized symptoms of poisoning associated with this plant for household pets. However, it is advisable to prevent pets from eating ornamental plants as a general safety measure, as individual animals might have reactions to plants that are otherwise considered non-toxic.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Salvia 'African Sky', commonly known as African Sky Blue Sage, adds a vibrant splash of blue to gardens with its striking floral displays.
- Attracts Pollinators: It is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which help with pollination of plants in the garden.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens in drier climates.
- Low Maintenance: This plant typically requires minimal care, making it a good choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance landscaping options.
- Long Blooming: African Sky Blue Sage has a long blooming period, providing color and interest in the garden throughout the growing season.
- Herbaceous Perennial: As a perennial, it will return year after year, providing long-term value and reducing the need for replanting annually.
- Deer Resistant: The plant is not a preferred food source for deer, making it an excellent choice for areas where deer browsing can be a problem.
- Fast Growth: It grows relatively quickly, enabling gardeners to establish their landscape design in a shorter amount of time.
- Culinary Uses: Although excluding medical properties and air purifying qualities, the leaves of some Salvia species can be used for culinary purposes such as flavoring dishes.
- Landscape Versatility: This sage can be used in various garden settings, including borders, rock gardens, and as a background planting.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Artistic Dye: The flowers of the African Sky can be used to create a natural dye, imbuing fabrics and yarns with hues ranging from blue to violet depending on the mordant used.
- Floral Arrangements: Due to its vivid blue flowers, African Sky makes an elegant addition to both fresh and dried floral arrangements, lending a dash of color and height.
- Garden Borders: Its tall stature and striking color make African Sky suitable for creating visual interest and borders in garden designs.
- Insect Repellant: The plant's aromatic properties can help deter certain insects, making it a beneficial companion plant in vegetable gardens or around outdoor seating areas.
- Photography Subject: The striking blue flowers of the African Sky can serve as an excellent subject in macro and nature photography, showcasing the intricacies of its blooms.
- Educational Tool: African Sky can be used in botany classes for plant identification purposes, helping students learn about sage species and their characteristics.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not commonly used for flavor, the vibrant flowers can garnish desserts and cocktails, adding an edible splash of color.
- Bookmark Creation: The sturdy leaves and flowers can be pressed and laminated to create unique and natural bookmarks.
- Erosion Control: African Sky, when planted in groups, can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes due to its root system.
- Creative Craft Material: Dried stems and flowers can be incorporated into homemade paper, adding texture and visual interest to the craft.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe African Sky Sage is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe African Sky Sage is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Wisdom: Salvia plants in general are associated with wisdom, as its name is derived from the Latin word 'salvere' which means "to save" or "to heal," suggesting a connection to knowledge and healing.
- Healing: With its medicinal properties, Salvia is often connected to healing, suggesting that 'African Sky' could symbolize health and recovery.
- Longevity: Many varieties of Salvia are known for their long blooming seasons, which might extend the symbolism of 'African Sky' to long life and endurance.
- Purity: The clear, bright sky-blue flowers of 'African Sky' could be associated with the symbolism of cleanliness, purity, and innocence.
- Spirituality: The use of Salvia in spiritual and cleansing ceremonies might lend 'African Sky' a spiritual connotation, signifying a connection to the divine or metaphysical reflection.
- Protection: Some cultures use Salvia as a protection against evil, so 'African Sky' might embody this protective symbolism, offering a safeguard against negativity.
WaterThe African Blue Sage should be watered deeply but infrequently, ensuring that the soil is allowed to dry out between watering sessions to prevent root rot. Typically, watering once a week with approximately 1 gallon per plant during the growing season is sufficient, adjusting for rainfall and drought conditions. During winter or in cooler weather, reduce water to about once every two weeks or when the soil feels dry an inch below the surface. Over-watering can be detrimental, so it's crucial to check the soil moisture before watering.
LightAfrican Blue Sage thrives best in full sun, meaning it should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Place it in a location where it's exposed to unfiltered sunlight for most of the day. Dappled afternoon shade can be beneficial in extremely hot climates to prevent scorching.
TemperatureAfrican Blue Sage prefers a warm climate and can survive in temperatures ranging from 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the ideal temperature for robust growth is between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It may not survive temperatures that drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so protection or relocation is necessary in colder climates.
PruningPrune African Blue Sage in the spring after the last frost to shape the plant and promote bushier growth. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, throughout the growing season encourages more blooms. Cut back drastically every few years to rejuvenate older plants. Best done in early spring, pruning not only maintains plant health but also enhances the aesthetic appeal.
CleaningAs needed
SoilAfrican Blue Sage thrives in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of garden soil, coarse sand, and compost is ideal for providing proper nutrition and drainage.
RepottingAfrican Blue Sage should be repotted every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & MistingAfrican Blue Sage prefers moderate humidity but is adaptable to various conditions and can tolerate dry air.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with good airflow.
Outdoor
Full sun, shelter from strong winds, well-draining spot.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
Life cycleSalvia 'African Sky', commonly known as African sky sage, begins its life as a seed, requiring well-drained soil and either a warm stratification period or scarification to germinate. Once the seedlings emerge, they grow into young plants with characteristic sage-like foliage, requiring plenty of sunlight and moderate watering to establish. As the plant matures, it enters a vegetative state where it grows vigorously, develops a strong root system, and produces more leaves. The African sky sage reaches the flowering stage typically in late spring or early summer, characterized by its striking blue flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers will produce seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. The plant may enter a period of dormancy in colder climates during winter, or it may die back, at which point it can be pruned to prepare for the next growing season if it is not a perennial in the region.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
For Salvia 'African Sky', also known as African Blue Basil, the most popular method of propagation is by stem cuttings, which can be taken in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, cut a 3- to 5-inch long stem section just below a leaf node, where the concentration of growth hormones is high. Strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Next, plant the cutting in a pot filled with a mix of half peat and half perlite or sand to provide good drainage, inserting it about 1-1.5 inches deep. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place the pot in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight until roots have established, typically in a few weeks. After rooting, plantlets can be moved to larger pots or into the garden.
