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Mealy Blue Sage

Salvia farinacea

Other common name(s):

Family:

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

2
to
3
ft.

Spread

2
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Acid, Alkaline, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Blue

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Thin, divide, and transplant as needed. Cut back halfway in July to produce thicker, more compact foliage. Deadhead to prolong blooms or leave to feed wildlife. Propagation: Seed, Stem cuttings.

Comments

Blooms April-October. Will grow in most soils, but best on thin limestone soils in full sun. Provides an attractive mass of blue color in beds, borders and naturalized areas. Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Woodland edge or opening. Attracts: butterflies and bees. Bumblebees are especially attracted this plant. Finches love the seeds.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Salvia earlei, Salvia farinacea var. farinacea, Salvia farinacea var. latifolia

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 208. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SAFA2. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=13625&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32713#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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