Giant Blue Sage

Salvia azurea

Giant Blue Sage (Salvia azurea) is a striking perennial wildflower, standing 2½-5 feet tall, known for its beautiful blue flowers and sage-scented foliage. The plant thrives in full sun and dry, well-drained soils, tolerating various soil types including loam, clay, and gravel. Its opposite leaves are greyish-green and narrowly lanceolate with serrated or dentate margins near their tips, releasing a distinctive sage scent and taste. The flowers, which bloom in late summer to fall, are arranged in whorled spikes toward the apex of the plant and range in color from pale blue to deep dark blue with lighter-colored throats. The tubular corolla of each flower provides a landing pad for pollinators, and while the blooms are visually captivating, they have no scent.

Ecologically, Giant Blue Sage is pollinated by long-tongued bees, especially bumblebees, as well as butterflies and skippers like the Silver-Spotted Skipper. Halictid bees may collect pollen from the plant but do not contribute to pollination. The caterpillars of the Hermit Sphinx moth sometimes feed on the foliage, but mammalian herbivores usually avoid the plant due to its sage scent and potential for causing indigestion. This resilience against herbivores, combined with its attractive blooms, makes Wild Blue Sage a valuable addition to gardens, particularly a contrast to the more common goldenrods and asters in the fall. Wild Blue Sage adds aesthetic appeal while supporting various pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity.