Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Salvia patens
Gentian Sage

- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Height
- 18-24 inches tall
- Width
- 12-18 inches wide
- Flower color
- Deep, intense blue
- Foliage color
- Mid-green, heart-shaped leaves
- Bloom time
- Midsummer to early fall
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; deadheading encourages continuous blooming
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 8-10
- Wildlife
- Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees
About this plant
Salvia patens, commonly known as gentian sage, is renowned for its vivid, true-blue flowers that appear in late spring and continue blooming well into autumn. The tubular flowers grow in pairs along slender stems, creating a lively display that adds vibrant color to garden beds, borders, and containers. The intense blue hue is rarely seen in garden plants, making this salvia a standout choice for adding a cool-toned contrast.
Native to the mountainous regions of central Mexico, Salvia patens thrives in sunny locations where it can flourish throughout the growing season. Its lush, green foliage provides an attractive backdrop for the showy blossoms, and the plant is known to attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, enhancing its appeal in pollinator-friendly gardens. Salvia patens is often used to create striking combinations with warm-toned flowers or to add depth and variety to mixed plantings.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores
Design tip
Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
