Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 60cm
Eventual Spread: 45cm
Hardiness: 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Lamiaceae
Salvia patens ‘Cambridge Blue’, commonly known as Gentian Sage, is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. The species, Salvia patens , is native to central Mexico. In its native habitat it grows in grasslands and south facing hedges and woodland edges. Its blue flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Salvia patens ‘Cambridge Blue’ may be used as part of a mixed herbaceous planting scheme or prairie type planting schemes located sunny locations. Spent flower spikes may be removed to prolong the flowering period. To keep a tidy appearance, old stems may be removed to near ground level in spring before the new growth starts.
Salvia patens ‘Cambridge Blue’ (08/09/12, Kew gardens, London)
Salvia patens ‘Cambridge Blue’ Flower (08/09/12, Kew gardens, London)