Salvia ‘Celestial Blue’

Celestial Blue sage
Long-lasting, fragrant blue-purple blooms on this tough, evergreen shrub attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Gravelly or clay soils. Hybrid of California natives. A prized plant.
height 3–6ft
width 3–6ft
tolerates Coast, Cool Summers, Drought, Deer , Fog, Heat, Neglect, Wind
water
needs
Low
water
info
This native salvia hybrid thrives in areas from the coast to the desert edge. It appreciates winter rains and fog drip during the summer, but often responds poorly to heavy summer watering. At a minimum, be sure Celestial Blue is dry before watering during summer. Waiting for the lower leaves to shrivel will help ensure you aren’t overwatering. If you choose to withhold summer water entirely, your plant may look sparse or bony by fall, with only a few leaves still vibrant, but it will flush out quickly with rain (or irrigation) in the fall. This is its natural cycle.
hardy
to
0F
exposure Part Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor
Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Potting Soil, Tolerates Heavy Soil, Tolerates Sandy Soil
origin Hybrid, California
california
native
Yes
sunset
zones
5–11, 14–H1

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

Will bloom in part shade in hot inland valleys.
Deer don’t love its pungent foliage and flowers.
Naturally semi-deciduous late in the dry season if water is withheld.

Special Interest

Leave seed heads on after bloom to attract seed-foraging birds.

More Info

Originated at Las Pilitas Nursery from Salvia clevelandii ‘Alpine’ x Salvia pachyphylla or a three-way hybrid with ‘Pozo Blue’ which would add Salvia leucophylla.