About Salvia uliginosa Benth.
Salvia uliginosa Benth. is an herbaceous perennial that grows 0.91 to 1.83 meters (3 to 6 feet) tall in a single growing season. It produces multiple thin stems and yellow-green lance-shaped leaves with serrated edges. The plant spreads quickly via underground runners and can be easily divided. Its bright azure-blue flowers measure 1.3 centimeters (0.5 inches) long, with a distinct white beeline in the flower throat that points toward the nectar and pollen. The flowers grow in whorls, with many blooming simultaneously from summer through fall. Cyanosalvianin, the blue pigment found in the flowers of S. uliginosa, is a metalloanthocyanin: a complex composed of six anthocyanin molecules, six flavone molecules, and two magnesium ions. Salvia uliginosa was introduced to horticulture in 1912. It has become popular for use in home gardens and public landscapes, valued for its azure-blue flowers, tolerance of a range of growing conditions, and ability to support pollinator habitats. This species has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
