(Dwarf Bog Sage) Intense sky blue flowers with white beelines are set against mid-green foliage in this dwarf Bog Sage that is about half as tall and wide as its parent species when in bloom.
Salvia uliginosa 'Ballon Azul' has a whimsical appellation combining French and Spanish. German nurseryman Ewald Hügin developed this cultivar, which is as cheerful looking as a blue balloon.
Highly adaptable, Bog Sages are ideal for the beginning Salvia gardener. They aren't fussy plants, and they aren't tasty to deer. You won't have to invent clever barricades to keep them safe from browsers.
Give these undemanding sages well-drained soil of almost any kind. Plant them in full sun to partial shade. As their common and scientific names indicate they love water, but they also do well in dry conditions -- a situation in which their stolons spread more slowly.
Nevertheless, baby your Dwarf Bog Sage a bit with average supplemental watering based on local conditions. After all, in the wild, its parent species is native to the bogs of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Normally, Salvia uliginosa is a back-of-border choice. But due to the size of Ballon Azul, its petite yet graceful flower spikes are made for a starring role in the front row. Stoop down, brush its foliage with your hand and enjoy the fragrance. It's also a good plant for a patio container.
Cold and heat tolerant, this species grows well in regions ranging from the arid Rocky Mountain West to the humid Deep South. Full sun is fine in all but the hottest and most arid environments.
Hurry up and order! We predict this new addition to our catalog will be as popular as balloons.