Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates very light shade, but best in full sun. Also tolerates heat, humidity and drought. Cut plants back by 1/2 in late spring to keep plants shorter, combat stem laxness and promote bushiness.
Blue sage is a Missouri native perennial which occurs in dry soils on limestone glades, prairies and open ground. Typically grows 3-5' tall and features whorls of two-lipped, azure blue flowers in upright spikes which rise above the foliage. Flowers bloom in summer to fall. Narrow, lance-shaped, gray-green, basal foliage (to 4" long) with smaller stem leaves. Noticeably hairy stems. A mint family member that is attractive to bees and butterflies. This plant is synonymous with and sometimes sold as Salvia pitcheri or S. azura spp. pitcheri.
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to leaf spot and rust and sometimes visited by white fly and scale. Usually needs some support since lax stems tend to lodge easily.
Borders, cottage gardens, native plant gardens, prairie-like areas, wild or naturalized plantings.
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Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110(314) 577-5100 hours and admission
Butterfly House
Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017(636) 530-0076 hours and admission
Shaw Nature Reserve
Hwy. 100 & I-44 Gray Summit, MO 63039(636) 451-3512 hours and admission