The mother species is a native perennial of Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico, and it gets about 3 feet high. This cultivar...Read More is a compact dwarf that gets about 14" high, though it can range from 12" to 18" high. It bears dark blue-purple tubular flowers in dense narrow spike clusters. Its cold hardiness is usually listed as USDA Zone 8. North of Zone 8 it is used as a very popular annual. It is very similar to the more commonly planted 'Victoria Blue' cultivar that is a little taller with slightly less dark flowers that are closer to blue, though still blue-purple. It is a very reliable flower for sunny sites with well-drained soil from moderately acid to very alkaline.
Salvia farinacea 'Rhea' is reliable perennial for me in Z6b here along coast in MA. Overtime I've have bought various containers at HD/L...Read Moreowes/Walmart and they are all true to cultivar. Although cheap, Rhea salvia is a steady performer and it's easy to identify time to divide when center seems to die - - it self seeds as well. Although drought tolerant, I water feed throughout season and keep curved linking stakes to keep heavy flowered spires upright. Planted in small garden with catnip at feet of White Dawn climbing rose that climbs with Jackmanii clematis up stairs/rails to 2nd story deck. I pinch spent spires and these sage continue to shoot flower spires throughout summer. The soft gray foliage of Rhea and catnip set off the deep purple blossoms continuing vertically with the deep purple of clematis in contrast to White Dawn's clusters. This combination is spectacular if you have the room and a contrast climbing rose!
The mother species is a native perennial of Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico, and it gets about 3 feet high. This cultivar...Read More
Salvia farinacea 'Rhea' is reliable perennial for me in Z6b here along coast in MA. Overtime I've have bought various containers at HD/L...Read More
Pretty blue salvia, sold as an annual bedding plant in Florida.