Mealycup aka mealyblue sage ( Salvia Farinacea )
Salvia, an herb in the mint family, will grow to between one and four feet tall. This particular species is not the showiest salvia you can find, nor is it the tallest, stopping at about a foot tall. I purchased it because it was covered with bees and butterflies at the nursery. I thought it would make a good addition to the bee/butterfly/hummingbird pocket garden.
It does not need very good soil. Salvia prefers mostly sun then shade in the warmest part of the day. Salvia also prefers well drained soil.
If you are growing salvia from seed plant it outside in the early spring ~ March 15th. The seeds need some light to germinate so just sprinkle them on the soil and press slightly to keep the wind from scattering them. This is also the time to prune any existing salvias you have.
Salvia will bloom continuously in warm weather and doesn’t mind an occasional light frost. Flowers do not have scent but the leaves do.
‘Salvia’ comes from the Latin word ’salvare’ which means ‘to heal’ and for centuries has been considered a favored healing herb. Currently salvias ( divinorum ) are being smoked for their hallucinogenic properties. I haven’t tried but I am told a bit of dried leaves smoked will give the user LSD like hallucinations.
Grey mold occasionally attacks salvias in cool, wet weather. Treat with a fungicide.
More information:
Popularity of Hallucinogen May Thwart Its Medical Uses
Floridata: Salvia farinacea
This plant dropped all its leaves when the temps went below freezing. I expect it will come back in the spring.
Meh. It leafed back out in the spring, it blooms a little, not much. It is ok, nothing special.
It is in part shade, afternoon sun, average moist soil.