Salvia farinacea 'Cathedral Sky Blue'
mealy sage 'Cathedral Sky Blue'
An upright perennial grown as an annual, with lance-shaped silvery green foliage, hairy on the reverse, and slender racemes of small light blue lipped flowers with a hint of violet in summer and autumn.

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue | |||
| Autumn | Blue | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in well-drained, peat-free potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun; can be moved outdoors during the summer months. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring and by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Coastal
- Flower borders and beds
- Bedding
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Cut back flower spikes to prolong flowering
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.