California Gardens - The Year Round Gardening Site

Salvia uliginosa - Blue Spike Sage

I have grown Salvia uliginosa in moderate to strong light conditions. The Blue Spike Sage will survive on limited water but really prefers a regular drink. As one might think with a common name like Swamp Sage. Without adequate water the plants look pretty ratty in the summer, but I have yet to lose one due to drought. I guess you have to be pretty tough to live in a swamp. In its native habitat in Brazil and Argentina it grows in boggy areas. Salvia uliginosa produces an abundance of these blue flowers Spring through Fall. The foliage has a scent that I find unpleasant so I plant Salvia uliginosa a bit back from the walk. It gets about 3 feet or so tall and goes dormant for the winter. I prune them to the ground at that time. Blue Spike Sage proliferates vigorously with root stolons. While Salvia uliginosa is enthusiastic I would not call it aggressive but in some moist gardens that can be a close call. Salvia uliginosa is a great nectar source for the Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Mournful Duskywing, White Checkered Skipper, and the California Dogface Butterfly and is a nice addition to the Butterfly Garden as well as the hummingbird garden.

Salvia uliginosa, Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary nectaring on the flowers of Salvia uliginosa, Blue Spike Sage. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.

Salvia uliginosa

Flowers and foliage of Salvia uliginosa, Blue Spike Sage. High resolution photos are part of our garden image collection.