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Northwest Blooms · Perennials

Salvia patens

Gentian Sage

Salvia patens
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.