WINTER BLUE SAGE
Salvia bullulata ‘Winter Blue’
Salvia bullulata ‘Winter Blue’ blooms with stunning turquoise-blue trumpets.
The lips of each tubular flower is also painted with white, as if they have been sipping milk.
‘Winter Blue’ Sage is an incredible turquoise-blue colour – there is no other flower like it.
Plus this unusual little darling blooms in late summer, autumn and into winter.
For the delight of gardeners, bees and honey-eating birds alike.
Salvia bullulata ‘Winter Blue’ makes a rounded bushy small shrub, approximately 60-80cm tall x 45-60cm wide.
The foliage is deeply puckered, heavily veined, and very attractive.
With silvery leaf colouring making a perfect foil for the dreamy turquoise of the flowers, and fresh apple green flower calyces.
Salvia bullulata ‘Winter Blue’ originates from Peru, and it copes well with summer humidity, but resents heavy winter frosts and long summer dry.
So plant it in a sunny to partly shaded position, but with some overhead shelter from taller plants or structures if you garden in a frosty climate or a very hot climate.
It is a little stunner in a pot – so you can keep it on a porch or balcony for shelter if needed.
Also mulch it well and provide some supplementary summer water if you garden with hot, dry summers.
Though it purrs in sub-tropical areas such as Sydney.
But wherever you are - the exceptional turquoise-blue colour makes all the fuss worthwhile.
Height with flowers: 60-80cm approx.
Width: 45-60cm approx.
Bloom Season: Very useful late colour, with a peak of bloom over autumn and into winter. Can begin blooming as early as November and continues to April at least.
Position: Sheltered Dappled Sun to Full Sun. But it prefers shelter from the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Loves the companionship of taller shrubs and overhead branches.
Water: Prefers some additional water over summer in dry areas.
Frost: Can only tolerate very light frosts, so plant in a sheltered container or position where there is overhead cover.
Soil: Prefers fertile, humus rich soil that retains moisture well.
Growth: Shrubby perennial. Salvia bullulata has a deeply arching, rounded shape and drooping stems, making it perfect for a container or hanging basket.
Care & Maintenance: Easy care, low maintenance.
Pests & Diseases: Rarely troubled by pests or diseases.
Pruning: Pruning is not essential. But if you wish to shape – it can be pruned back by 2/3 in autumn or spring.
Fertilizer: Do not over-fertilize. This plant is not a heavy feeder.
Quality fertilizer, such as Powerfeed, can be applied sparingly in spring.
We recommend to water in with Seasol at planting, and regularly after to help protect against frost, wind and heat.
Container: Hardy & easy in a pot in a sheltered position. The exceptional turquoise colour, graceful arching habit, and autumn into winter blooming, make it very desirable for a container, or even a hanging basket.
Bees, Birds & Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, and honey eating native birds, adore it in autumn and early winter, when there is little else to give them the nectar they crave. As natives of Peru, you can just see these flowers have been built for Hummingbirds. But our smaller native honeyeater birds are very happy to stand in and pretend to be a Hummingbird.
Rabbits & Deer Resistance: Unlikely to be bothered by either rabbits or deer, as they dislike the taste of the aromatic foliage.
Pet Friendly: No known ill effects for pets.
Herbal & History: A treasure from South America.
Quarantine Restriction: Cannot be shipped into WA.
Bulk Discount
If you buy 3-6 plants there will be a $0.50 discount per plant"
If you buy 7+ plants there will be a $1.00 discount per plant
Plants on Special are excluded
