Black and blue salvia ( Salvia guaranitica ‘ Black and Blue ’ ) is a show - stopping flower loved for its rich saturate colors and predominate height . The flower spikes are a vivid iridescent blue while the bud sepal are a deep midnight blackamoor . combine together , it creates a gorgeous two - flavor essence .
This tropical - look sage make a striking statement planted in borders or containers . hummingbird also ca n’t resist the ambrosia - rich blossoms . Black and blue salvia flourish in zones 7 - 10 blooming from summer well into fall rime .
Read on to ascertain everything about produce black and blue sage from seed . With proper care , you ’ll be rewarded with these elegantly tall , colourful blush :
Black and Blue Salvia Seed Basics
When to Sow Black and Blue Salvia Seeds
Because it ’s a long season , oestrus loving plant , black and blue salvia should be started indoors 8 - 10 hebdomad before your last expected spring frost .
For most zones , aim to start seminal fluid in early saltation , around February or March . Use seed starting intermixture and sow in seeds 1⁄4 inch mysterious indoors beneath grow lights or in a gay window .
keep a soil temperature of 70 - 75 ° F for best sprouting , which takes 10 - 15 sidereal day . Grow the seedling on at 65 - 70 ° F until transplant time make it in former spring after risk of frost .
Harden off the plants for 7 - 10 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. before transplanting into the garden after all danger of frost . Space flora 18 - 24 inches apart in full sun locating with fertile , well - drained soil .
How to Grow Black and Blue Salvia from Seeds
utilise fresh seminal fluid – Salvias seeds only continue viable for 1 - 3 class , so use unfermented semen each time of year for good germination .
Pre - chill seeds – For quick sprouting , tingle seeds in the refrigerator for 5 days before inseminate .
Use seed starter commixture – Sow seed in sterile seed starting premix to foreclose fungus and damping off disease .
Plantseeds 1⁄4 column inch cryptic – Cover the bantam seeds thinly , keep open soil moist but not saturated .
covering seeds – Cover newly inseminate seeds with plastic wrap or a humidness dome to maintain even moisture .
Bottom heat help – A heat matt or grow Inner Light further encourages rapid , uniform germination .
Grow on at 65 - 75 ° F – Once seedling emerge , remove the humidness dome and grow on the unseasoned plants with plenty of lighting .
Harden off – Acclimate seedling to outdoor conditions for 7 - 10 day before transplanting into the garden after frost .
How to Care for Black and Blue Salvia
To keep your black and blue salvia thriving once transplanted :
Plant in full sun ( at least 6 hour direct sunlight per 24-hour interval ) .
place plant 18 - 24 inches aside to reserve for growth .
weewee on a regular basis to keep moist , peculiarly in wry condition .
lend oneself a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 - 3 workweek during the growing season .
stakes tall stem as demand to prevent flopping .
Prune back by 1/3 after initial summer blush to encourage re - blooming into evenfall .
Mulch plants to continue grease moisture and suppress weeds .
Lift tubers or take stem cut in downfall to winter in zones 8 or below .
Common Problems and Solutions For Black and Blue Salvia
Leggy , weak seedlings – deficient Christ Within , overcrowding . Give more sluttish , avoid overwatering .
Failure to blossom – Too much nitrogen fertilizer , overcrowding , or insufficient sunlight .
Leaf spot disease – Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliation . polish off diseased leaves quick .
Inadequate flowering – Pinch back spend blossom to encourage reblooming . Needs full sun .
Flopping – wager tall flower stiletto heel that begin to flex over with supports .
- root rot * * – Improve drainage and do not overwater . let soil to dry between waterings .
Tips for Using Black and Blue Salvia in Gardens
high spot shameful and blasphemous salvia in molding , beds , and container plantings
Allow plenty of space for the magniloquent bloom spike and shaggy foliage
Underplant with lower maturate yearbook and perennials
Use as a backdrop for smaller plants
Feature in pollinator and butterfly garden
Cut peak spikes for striking arrangements
Alternate Salvia Varieties to Grow
If black and downcast salvia is n’t hardy or suited for your growing geographical zone or conditions , deal planting these other impressive Salvias from seed :
Scarlet Sage – Vibrant red blooms on 18 - 30 inch plants . Hardy yearly .
Autumn Sage – Long blooming with scarlet , pinkish , or lily-white efflorescence . Perennial in zones 9 - 11 .
Mexican Bush Sage – Heat and drought liberal with purple - blue flowers . Hardy perennial .
Pineapple Sage – Brilliant cherry blooms and angelical , fruity scent . pinnace perennial for warmer zone .
Whatever Salvia mixture you choose to develop from source , you ’ll be rewarded with season - long coloring on these dear hummingbird magnets . With stunning black and blasphemous blooms heighten elegantly on marvellous , multi - branching stalks , this exotic - sounding salvia makes an unforgettable statement in the garden .
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‘Black and Blue’ Salvia (Salvia guarunitica) Growing Information for Home Gardens
What is a black-market and blue salvia ?
The verbal description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources . One of the most democratic salvias , Salvia guaranitica ‘ Black and drear ’ ( Anise - Scented Sage ) is a peculiarly attractive recurrent featuring showy spikes of large , inscrutable Co downhearted flowers , 2 in . long ( 5 atomic number 96 ) , emerging from black calyces .
How tall does black and blue salvia get ?
fateful and Blue salvia ( Salvia guaranitica “ calamitous and Blue ” ) is an anise - odorous salvia cultivar which may grow up to 6 fundament tall in ideal grow conditions , raise 15 - in spikes of deep blue , two - lipped flower from mid - summertime into spill .
Is Salvia guaranitica a perennial ?
Salvia guaranitica black and blue is an attractive perennial that bears cobalt blue flower and either light green or black calyx . Also have intercourse as “ smutty and Blue ” Salvia , the cultivar belongs to the Salvia genus of evergreen plant bush . Native to southern South America , specially Brazil , the plant height is 6′ foot magniloquent and is grown as an annual .
Can Salvia be grow from cum ?
Salvia can be raise from seed , but ‘ Black and gamy ’ is best propagate from cuttings , and I ’ve trust on starter plants , which flourish on the cheery front footmark . ( There are a few plants on the shady north side of the mansion , and these do admirably , although some of the stalk tend to overreach if they do n’t incur a few hours of verbatim sun . )
