My mother came to visit last Saturday for the first time in awhile. She was looking at my front and side gardens and asking the names of some plants she had never seen. She looked around some more, shook her head, and said, "Boy, have you got your work cut out for you!" Well, yes and no. Yes there's lots to do to finish cleaning up the beds, and lots to do to keep them as nice as they are becoming. But work? No way. It's not work to me - it's fun. It's zen. It's relaxation and meditation. It's one of life's best things.

Anyway, one of the plants my mother asked about has blue flowers. Guess which one that might be. Ok, just kidding. There's plenty of plants with blue blooms so here's the answer. It's Salvia Victoria, more commonly known as mealycup sage. The technical name is salvia farinacea 'victoria' and it grows about 1 1/2' tall with 1/4" spikes of flowers. The plant enjoys full sun or light shade and a well-drained sandy soil for best growth. Salvia Victoria, as most sages, will flower all summer if deadheaded.

In looking for information to share with you about this plant, I was surprised that only one of my 20 something garden books detailed this specific salvia cultivar and only one plant catalog mentioned it. So let me give credit where credit is due. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials speaks to my little plant along with a variety of other salvias. White Flower Farm does not sell this plant, but does offer a hybrid called Salvia Indigo Spires.

I have no idea why this plant is called mealycup sage and can't seem to find an answer in any of my books, magazines, or online. But who cares? The plant is gorgeous and will flower all summer.
Paired with society garlic and coreopsis, it makes a mighty fine garden don't you think?
It must be that zen thing going on again. Happy Gardening!