It’s easy to grow your own flowers from seed. Here’s beautiful flowers, growing information & seed collections for gifts.
COUNTRY GARDEN SEED SHOP
Salvia viridis Oxford Blue
Salvia viridis 'Oxford Blue' is an exceptionally long flowering annual with deep blue almost purple bracts produced on sturdy plants. Commonly known as Clary Sage it’s a brilliant plant for beginners. It is easy to grow, produces masses of flowers and is good for cutting and drying. Clary is brilliant for edging paths and growing in containers too.
Sow in spring when the soil has warmed up for summer flowers then sow again in autumn. An autumn sowing will produce early flowers the following year. If you live in a cold area then the protection of a cloche, a cold frame or unheated greenhouse is best until your young plants are well established. I love Salvia viridis in my garden, so do the bees... I hope you do too!
| Genus | Salvia viridis |
| Variety | Oxford Blue |
| Plant Type | Hardy Annual. Cut Flower & Dried Flower |
| Height & Spread | 45cm tall x 30cm wide (18 inches tall x 12 inches) |
| Sow Seeds | In mild areas sow outdoors in August/September then again in spring (mid February to April). In cold areas start off indoors. Germinates in 7-14 days at 20°C. |
| Thin/Plant Out | Allow 30cm (12 inches) between plants. |
| Conditions Required | Prefers moist but well drained soil in full sun. Water thoroughly in dry spells. |
| Flower Production | Beautiful deep blue/purple bracts produced from May to October. |
| Picking | Pick Salvia early in the morning, strip half the stem and stand them in deep water for a few hours before arranging. Lasts 10 days in a vase. |
| Planting Combinations | Salvia viridis is one of the best annual flowers/fillers that you can grow. You will be amazed at how prolific these flowers are! They look brilliant with orange and yellow Calendula and grow particularly well with Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens and Blue Borage. |