Eranthemum pulchellum

RHS Plant Profile
blue sage

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blue sage Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

Florida blue sage

Synonyms

Daedalacanthus nervosus
Eranthemum nervosum

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

A lax evergreen shrub with lustrous, lance-shaped leaves and terminal spikes of deep blue flowers in winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Eranthemum can be evergreen perennials or shrubs, with simple, opposite leaves and 5-lobed tubular flowers borne in terminal or axillary spikes or panicles in winter
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Himalaya, W China, India

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright filtered light with shade from hot sun. Water moderately in growth applying a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by rooting softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. Bottom heat will be required

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical

Pruning

Pruning group 8 and may need restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free