Bloom color: A gorgeous, deep blue with tiny white markings. The foliage has purple coloring.
Bloom time: From spring into fall.
Scent: None
Sun/shade: Best in some shade, such as dappled shade or morning sun. In full sun, this Salvia needs more water. Sun produces the purple coloring in the leaves, so try to put it where it will get some sun during the day.
Moisture: Regular water.
Pruning: Shear down to new growth in late winter; deadhead old blooms..
Problems: Looks a little worse for wear at the end of winter, with some brown stems and a sprawly habit. Removing all the old growth freshens it up.
Conditions: Amended clay soil beneath a large dediduous Mimosa tree; gets direct morning sun and then dappled shade for the remainder of the day.
Other comments: Very attractive purple coloring on the foliage makes this an attractive plant even when out of bloom. The incredible blue flowers are not numerous but continue from spring to fall. This is a good container plant in a shady spot with the stems trailing over the edge of the pot. Also makes a good groundcover at the front of the bed or under roses. The purple foliage looks great with plants that bloom in pink such as Salvia microphylla 'San Carlos Festival' and Erodium reichardii, or with other plants that have bright green foliage. Reseeds a little and the stems root on the ground; however, this plant is not at all invasive and the seedlings are easy to pull up and transplant.
