Salvia ‘Patio Deep Blue’ is a vibrant garden plant, cherished for its striking deep blue flowers and compact growth habit. This cultivar is particularly well-suited for various garden settings, especially containers, where its brilliant color can be prominently displayed. Its visual appeal makes it a favored choice for gardeners seeking to add a burst of intense blue to their outdoor spaces.
Understanding Salvia Patio Deep Blue
Salvia ‘Patio Deep Blue’ is a compact, upright perennial, often treated as an annual in cooler climates. It typically grows to a height of 12-14 inches (30-35 cm) and spreads about 8-12 inches (20-30 cm), making it an ideal choice for smaller spaces and container gardening. The plant produces showy racemes of slightly nodding, two-lipped, dark or royal blue flowers. These blooms emerge from mid-summer to mid-fall, providing a long season of color.
The foliage consists of lance-shaped, silvery-green leaves, which are often aromatic. This particular salvia cultivar was bred for its excellent branching habit, producing abundant blooms.
Planting and Care
Successful cultivation of Salvia ‘Patio Deep Blue’ begins with selecting an appropriate location. This plant thrives best in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant flowering. While it can tolerate light shade, too much shade can hinder its blooming performance.
Well-draining soil is important for this salvia. It performs best in moderately fertile, moist, and free-draining soil or compost. For container planting, a high-quality potting mix formulated for good drainage is recommended. Although adaptable to both dry and moist conditions, it will not tolerate standing water, which can lead to root rot.
Consistent moisture is beneficial, particularly during dry periods. Water the plant deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, usually about once a week or every 5-7 days. Watering in the morning or early evening is ideal to prevent wilting and promote absorption. Established plants show some drought tolerance, but regular watering during hot, dry spells will support continuous blooming.
Fertilizing ‘Patio Deep Blue’ helps sustain its vigorous flowering, especially for container-grown plants. A liquid fertilizer applied every few weeks or a monthly feeding is generally sufficient. Amend the soil with compost before transplanting to provide initial nutrients.
Regular pruning and deadheading are important for maintaining plant vigor and promoting continuous blooms. Remove faded flower spikes to encourage new flower production and prolong the flowering season. Light pruning in late spring or early summer, after the last frost, can improve the plant’s shape and encourage healthier growth. Remove any dead leaves and stems to keep the plant tidy.
Salvia ‘Patio Deep Blue’ is generally low-maintenance and fairly resistant to common pests and diseases. It is also considered deer resistant. While largely trouble-free, ensuring good air circulation can help prevent issues like powdery mildew.
Ideal Uses and Companions
Salvia ‘Patio Deep Blue’ is particularly well-suited for container gardening due to its compact size and upright habit, making it perfect for patios, balconies, and small outdoor spaces. Its namesake reflects this suitability, allowing its vibrant blue flowers to be admired up close. When used in mass plantings or as bedding plants, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart to allow for proper growth and display.
In garden beds, this salvia creates a striking visual impact when planted in front borders or in drifts. It blends well into various garden styles, including city gardens, coastal gardens, and cottage gardens. Its rich blue color complements a range of other plants. Consider pairing it with plants that have yellow, white, or silver foliage and flowers to create visual contrast.
Complementary plants that thrive in similar full sun and well-drained conditions include coneflowers, dianthus, and sedum, which can provide varied textures and forms. For annual companions, lantana and purslane offer bright and bold contrasts to the salvia’s cool tones. ‘Patio Deep Blue’ is an excellent addition to pollinator gardens, as its abundant flowers consistently attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout its long blooming season.