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Native Plant Society of Texas

Mealy Blue Sage

Salvia farinacea

Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo credit, Claire Sorenson
Photo credit, Claire Sorenson
NPSOT NTX, NLCP Level 1; Marie-Theres Herz; Herbarium Sheet
NPSOT NTX, NLCP Level 1; Marie-Theres Herz; Herbarium Sheet
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Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map (hover for ecoregion names)

Native Habitat: Grassland, Woodland
Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies

Maintenance

Spring: Thin, divide, and transplant as needed. Remove weeds and unwanted seedlings. Summer: Cut back halfway in July to produce thicker, more compact foliage and to keep plants from falling over. Deadhead for increased blooming or leave to feed wildlife. Winter: Prune dead material down to new growth in late February.

Comments

Best on thin limestone soils in full sun. Provides an attractive mass of color in beds, borders and naturalized areas. Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Woodland edge or opening. Bumblebees are especially attracted this plant. Finches love the seeds.

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

2 to
3 ft

Spread

2 to
2 ft

Soil Type(s)

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

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Blue

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Hummingbirds, Bees

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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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