SALVIA FARINACEA

Salvia farinacea (Mealy sage, Mealycup sage) is a herbaceous perennial native to Mexico and parts of the United States including Texas. Violet-blue spikes rest on a compact plant of typically narrow salvia-like leaves; however, the shiny leaves are what set this species apart from most other Salvia, which bear velvety-dull leaves.

This perennial forms a shrubby upright clump 60 cm tall by 30 cm wide, with white mealy stems and glossy green leaves. It bears deep, lavender-blue flowers on tall spikes from early summer to frost. Salvias are some of the showiest plants for containers, annual borders, and mixed borders. Butterflies (such as this Cabbage White, Pieris rapae) and hummingbirds love them.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.