Salvia farinacea 'Fairy Queen'

Salvia farinacea ‘Fairy Queen’ is an attractive new variety that bears multiple spikes of bicolour blue and white flowers on dark distinctive flower stems from June to October.
With a bushy, compact habit and thick stems. A small white spot on each sapphire blue flower creates the illusion of fairy dust.

Salvia farinacea ‘Fairy Queen’ is truly versatile with a multitude of uses. It brings a mystical, airy presence to beds, borders, meadows and cottage gardens. Plant ‘Fairy Queen’ in masses for incredible impact in the border. The spikes rest on a compact plant of typically narrow salvia-like leaves, however, the shiny leaves are what set this species apart from most other Salvia, which bear velvety-dull leaves.

Being fragrant, this variety will attract butterflies and bees to the summer garden like other Salvia farinacea varieties. It is suitable for xeriscaping since it is drought resistant. It is an excellent plant for a pot or container and also a great candidate for growing in window boxes for long lasting accents and colour on decks and patios.
Very easy to grow from seed, Fairy Queen will flower the first year from an early sowing. It flowers profusely and blooms all summer. It will also make great flower arrangements, whether fresh or dried.

Salvia farinacea ‘Fairy Queen’ is a Fleuroselect Gold Medal Winner

Sowing: Sow indoors in Spring
Germination can be slow and erratic, especially if a fairly warm temperature is not maintained – around 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F) seems to be ideal. If at least 15°C (59°F) is not possible do not sow before March.
Start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frosts are due. Do not cover the seed. Watch out for damping off. A fungicidal drench to prevent damping off might be helpful. Prick out the seedlings as appropriate. For best results the next move should be to a larger pot, increasing the size of these according to growth.
From the larger pots, move the plants to outdoor positions at the end of May or early June. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out into their final positions. Space 15 to 30cm (6 to 12in) apart.
Pinch out growing tip when plants are 15cm (6in) tall to encourage bushy growth. Water, fertilise and dead-head regularly.

Cultivation:
Salvia require pretty much full sun to bloom and do well. - We have found if they are planted in the shade with will have fewer blooms and be more 'leggy'. Although drought-tolerant once established, a moderate amount of water must be supplied to young plants. Water freely especially in periods of drought.
A typical recommendation is that Salvia benefits from monthly liquid fertilising to keep it blooming non-stop, though they will often bloomed impressively without such attention.
Remove the bloom spikes of salvias after blooms have faded to encourage continuous bloom. Some gardeners prefer to let salvia flowers go to seed. Wait until new growth begins to emerge in early spring to do your winter cleanup of old stems to avoid freeze damage. The best time to divide perennial salvias is in early spring, before new growth begins.

Plant Uses:
Coastal, Flowers Borders and Beds, Mediterranean or Wildlife Gardens, Patio/Container Plants. Cut or Dried Flowers. First year flowering.

Origin:
Salvia farinacea is native to Mexico and parts of the United States including Texas.
Violet-blue spikes rest on a compact plant of typically narrow salvia-like leaves, however, the shiny leaves are what set this species apart from a more most other Salvia, which bear velvety-dull leaves.
It belongs to the Lamiaceae/Labiatae (mint) family

Nomenclature:
The genus name Salvia from the Latin word salveo meaning 'I am healed' or 'I am well', referring to the medicinal qualities of some of the species.
Both the species name farinacea and the common name mealycup is in reference to a white powdery substance that is found on the calyx and upper stems of this plant.
Common names include Mealycup sage or Blue sage.