Is Salvia Farinacea (Blue Bedder) perennial or annual?

18 years ago

I grew these from seed and love them and wondered if they will come back next spring. I am in NC (near Charlotte) and our winters have been mild but can sometimes be snowy (although not that often). I googled it but I get two different answers - Thanks so much - Carrie

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carrie630
Original Author

16 years ago

Found that my thread has been revisited and want to add that two years in a row (with temps as low as 18), my Salvia Blue Bedders survived - and one of the reasons was that i did not cut them back. I remembered reading that you should not cut back salvias during the winter and so that may have helped them survive.

The great thing about them surviving the winter is that they bloom unbelievably early and stay bloomed until it's really, really hot - then they take somewhat of a "rest" and rebloom like nuts in the fall.

I love these Salvias - can't do without them.

Carrie

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Comments (10)

rich_dufresne
18 years ago
The hybrid Indigo Spires is hardy, as are the native, unbred forms like Henry Duelberg in USDA Zone 7b -8a and warmer. The commercial forms are true perennials also, but may not be quite as hardy.
carrie630
Original Author
18 years ago
Hmm - I don't really know what I have - thanks, I guess I will now by next spring - Carrie
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duane456
18 years ago
Hi, mine came back last year, but I'm in zone 8. Mine were from commercial seed.
Duane
enchantedplace
18 years ago
Our blue bedder has survived for 8 years. It needs very little except trimming back and has not required division. EP
gnabonnand
18 years ago
I stradle the line between zone 7b and 8a and Salvia Farinacea did not return for me. I use it as an annual.

Randy
jrpenguin_comcast_net
16 years ago
Burpee has Salvia Farinacea (Blue Bedder) in their Annual Flowers section (see link). Mine this year were purchased at a retail plant store in one gallon pots. All three were spectacular, blooming long into this Fall. Living in Zone 8, I am going try to weather it over the winter along with my chocolate cosmos to see if it will survive. Happy to report back next spring.

Here is a link that might be useful: Salvia (Blue Bedder) Burpee Annual Flowers
carrieluv2gro
15 years ago
Salvia have hollow stems which can freeze when filled with rain/snow water, so it's a good idea not to cut them back as Carrie NC said. Salvia should bloom year after year as long as you allow the stems to remain through winter and then cut back after last frost.
countrycarolyn
14 years ago
I border zone 6 and 7. I have planted salvia victoria for many years in several different places in my flower beds. I have noticed that in my full sun bed with good drainage throughout the winter my victoria comes back from the same roots. In my partial shade beds where it tends to be a little moist during the winter my salvia does not come back from the same roots but it does reseed it self sometimes. Victoria is sold as an annual here but I have had good luck at having it to come back without extra mulching. This will be my first year that I am trying blue bedder I am starting them from seed but the seed pack I purchased said that it was a perennial if it is anything like victoria I am sure that it will be enjoyed in my garden for many years to come.
dianasgoodstuff
8 years ago
Has anyone grown them in containers? When they fall over do side nodes flower? Mine are Salvia Blue Victoria.