Blue Sage Salvia Velocity Blue = 'Salv Bule'
ABOUT
The Salvia Velocity Blue, commonly known as Sage, is a striking plant characterized by its vibrant blue flowers that draw attention in any garden setting. These blooms are known for their rich color and are arranged in spiky inflorescences, rising elegantly above the foliage. The leaves of the Sage are typically green, occasionally with a hint of grayish undertone, providing a lovely contrast to the bright blue flowers. The leaf texture can be described as somewhat rough to the touch with a fine downy covering typical of many sage varieties. This plant presents a lush appearance with its dense foliage and profuse floral display.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Mealycup Sage, Velocity Blue Sage, Blue Salvia.
Common names
Salvia Velocity Blue = 'Salv Bule'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Salvia Velocity Blue, more commonly known as Salvia, generally has a low level of toxicity to humans. Most species of Salvia are not poisonous and can be grown in gardens without posing significant risks to human health. However, some people may experience mild irritation or allergic reactions if they have sensitive skin or allergies when they come into contact with Salvia. Ingesting large amounts of Salvia could potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, but such cases are rare, and Salvia is not widely recognized as a toxic plant to humans. It is always recommended to avoid ingesting plants that are not confirmed to be edible and to keep ornamental plants out of reach of small children who might ingest them out of curiosity.
To pets
The Salvia Velocity Blue, more commonly known as Salvia, is not typically toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. Salvia species are often used in gardens and landscapes and are considered safe around pets. However, individual animals can have unique sensitivities or allergic reactions to plants. If a pet ingests a large quantity of Salvia, they might experience mild gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. As with any non-food plant, it is prudent to monitor pets to prevent them from consuming large amounts of Salvia, and if any concerning symptoms are observed, contact a veterinarian. But overall, Salvia is not known for being a poisonous plant to pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vivid blue and violet hues to gardens, creating a visually striking display.
- Attracts Pollinators: Provides nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, aiding in pollination.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can survive with minimal water, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-conservation gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Requires little care beyond occasional watering and pruning, making it convenient for busy gardeners.
- Fast Growth: The plant tends to grow quickly, filling in garden spaces and achieving a full look sooner than many other perennials.
- Long Blooming: Flowers over a long season, from late spring through frost, offering lasting color in the landscape.
- Deer Resistance: Less attractive to deer, which helps prevent them from browsing and damaging the garden.
- Container Gardening: Adapts well to container growing, allowing for versatility in placement and use in patio or balcony settings.
- Herbaceous Perennial: Comes back each year, reducing the need for replanting and maintaining consistent garden design.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Natural dye source: The leaves of Salvia Velocity Blue can be used to create a natural dye for fabric, often resulting in a unique shade of blue or green.
- Floral arrangements: The vivid blue blooms can be used in both fresh and dried floral arrangements to provide a pop of color.
- Garden borders: This plant can be used as a colorful border in gardens, helping to delineate different areas or pathways.
- Pollinator attractor: The flowers are excellent for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden.
- Companion planting: It can be planted alongside vegetables to help deter pests with its strong scent.
- Photography prop: Its striking blue blooms make Salvia Velocity Blue a popular subject for garden and nature photographers.
- Culinary garnish: While typically not eaten, the flowers can be used as an ornamental garnish for desserts and cocktails.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use the plant as a model or inspiration for paintings, drawings, and other artworks.
- Educational tool: Schools or nature programs might use Salvia Velocity Blue to teach students about plant biology, pollination, and horticulture.
- Eco-friendly confetti: The petals of Salvia Velocity Blue can be dried and used as biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Sage is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Sage is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Wisdom: The name "Salvia" comes from the Latin word "salvere," meaning "to save" or "to heal." Historically, it has been associated with wisdom and was thought to enhance the memory.
- Spiritual Enlightenment: Salvia, commonly known as sage, is often associated with spiritual awakening and the search for higher understanding. Many cultures have used sage in purification rituals.
- Longevity: Sage plants, including Salvia Velocity Blue, are revered for their health benefits and have been used in traditional medicine to promote longevity and avert aging.
- Protection: Traditionally, sage has been used in rituals to ward off evil and protect against negative energies, making it a symbol of safety and spiritual defense.
- Cleansing: The practice of smudging, or burning sage to cleanse a space of impurities and negative vibes, ties it closely to themes of purification and renewal.
WaterThe perennial Salvia, commonly known as Meadow Sage, should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil has time to dry out between waterings to avoid waterlogging and root rot. During hot, dry spells, it may require additional water. It's ideal to provide about 1 inch of water weekly, which can be equivalent to approximately 0.623 gallons per square foot per week. Watering in the morning is best, which helps the plant withstand the heat of the day and avoids moisture lingering overnight, which can lead to fungal issues.
LightMeadow Sage thrives in full sun conditions, where the plant can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for planting is an area that gets unfiltered sunlight for most of the day to encourage healthy growth and optimum blooming. Avoid planting in areas that are overly shaded as this may result in leggy plants and reduced flowering.
TemperatureMeadow Sage performs well in a wide range of temperatures, but the ideal growing conditions are between 60°F and 70°F. It's a hardy plant that can often withstand temperatures as low as 20°F and as high as 90°F. However, extended periods of extreme heat or cold outside of this range may stress the plant and adversely affect growth.
PruningPruning Meadow Sage is essential to promote continuous blooming and maintain a neat plant shape. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms. Perform a more thorough pruning in early spring or after the initial burst of flowering has passed, cutting back about a third of the plant to rejuvenate and encourage a fresh flush of growth and flowers. Pruning should be done at least once a season, or as needed, to keep the plant tidy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilSalvia (Perennial Sage) prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, with a recommended soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth. A mixture of garden soil, compost, and perlite or coarse sand can create a favorable environment for root development and health.
RepottingPerennial Sage typically requires repotting every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and provide space for root growth. It's best to repot in the spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingPerennial Sage thrives in average to low humidity conditions. It can generally tolerate the various humidity levels found in most home environments without needing any special considerations in this regard.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, occasional watering, and good airflow for indoor Perennial Sage.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, and space 18 inches apart.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Salvia Velocity Blue, commonly known as sage, begins with the germination of seeds which occurs in moist, well-draining soil with ample sunlight, typically in late winter or spring. After germination, the seedlings develop into young plants with emerging leaves, requiring consistent moisture and good air circulation for healthy growth. As the sage matures, it enters a vegetative stage characterized by the growth of sturdy stems and vibrant blue-violet flowers, attracting pollinators, during the warm months. Following pollination, the plant produces small, brown nutlet fruits containing seeds, which if not deadheaded will naturally disperse to propagate new plants. Throughout its life, sage enters a period of dormancy during the colder months, with many varieties being perennial, regrowing from the roots again the next season. One cycle completes when the plant eventually senesces, which can take several years, after which it dies back, completing its lifecycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
Salvia Velocity Blue, commonly known as sage, is generally best propagated in the spring to early summer when conditions are favorable for growth. The most popular method of propagation for this plant is by softwood cuttings. To propagate by cuttings, a gardener should select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 3- to 5-inch (approximately 7.5 to 12.5 cm) section, making sure there are at least two sets of leaves. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix, and the soil is kept moist but not waterlogged. The pot should be placed in a warm location with indirect light until roots have established, after which the plant can be transplanted outdoors or to a larger pot.
