Salvia Color Spires® 'AZURE SNOW' meadow clary
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,4-0,5m
usual width
0,3-0,5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
May-June
location
full to partial sun
soil type
neutral to alkaline
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Salvia is a large genus, containing about 900 species. In our climate mostly common (evergreen) sage is grown for culinary uses. Also popular are those of subtropical origin that are used here as annuals with long flowering season, especially in public areas. We concentrate on herbaceous perennials which are reliable and trouble-free plants offering stunning colour display with little care.
Meadow clary is a species of sage with tall stems and showy flowers. Its native habitat is Europe where it is found in sunny meadows from cold northern areas down to hot southern countries, and it is believed to be native in North Africa, too, especially in Morocco. It is often crossbred with other species to achieve larger flowers of deeper colours. Those hybrids are stunning but are often short-lived.
Meadow clary is a species of sage with tall stems and showy flowers. Its native habitat is Europe where it is found in sunny meadows from cold northern areas down to hot southern countries, and it is believed to be native in North Africa, too, especially in Morocco. It is often crossbred with other species to achieve larger flowers of deeper colours. Those hybrids are stunning but are often short-lived.
Description of the plant:
Imagine deep blue sky just before a summer storm covered with white snowflakes. This is exactly how Azure Snow meadow clary hybrid looks. It belongs to the COLOR SPIRES® series bred by Hans. A. Hansen from Walters Gardens in Michigan, USA. From late May it produces 40-50 cm tall, strong, densely branched stems holding small, deep blue, nettle-like flowers with white specs. If you cut off its stems just above soil level after flowering and feed it a little it will soon form a new, bushy clump that will remain handsome until the end of the season. Leaves are medium green, wrinkled, coarsely toothed, broadly lance-shaped, and appear from the ground up along the stems. Patent. No. PP30534 was granted in 2019.Sage will grow in almost any well-drained soil. For best results grow it in light, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. It needs no fertilizing, only in very poor or compacted soils it will benefit from occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer. Meadow clary requires warm and free-draining soil. In early spring remove all above-ground parts except for rosette of new or over-wintered, healthy leaves lying flat on the ground. It is perfectly hardy to about -34 °C (USDA zone 4) and will grow in outdoor pots, too.
Last update 03-06-2021
