Salvia Marine Blue

Salvia Marine Blue

This is a compact little plant, growing to 70cm with bright blue flowers and tiny greyish leaves. It is sometimes sold under the name of 'Indigo Blue'. It blooms from spring to autumn and is one of the quite drought-resistant salvias, so it does not need much water. It flowers over a very long period from late spring until autumn. It will do well in cold climates as well as in Sydney.

Salvia Marine Blue in the garden of Anne Prescott in Sydney

Salvia Marine Blue in the garden of Anne Prescott in Sydney

It grows best in a sunny, well-drained position. It suckers a little bit to form a wide mat but is not a nuisance. It is a pretty groundcover with roses or amongst other shrubs, and is effective with cerise or pink flowers or dark leaves. It also mixes well with yellow flowers, such as those of Aquilegia chrysantha. One of its parents is possibly Salvia chamaedryoides, another drought-resistant species. Prune back by a third to a half in May.