How to Grow Blue Bedder
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Blue Bedder
Salvia farinacea 'Blue Bedder'
flowerBlue Bedder is a compact cultivar of mealycup sage, prized for its striking deep blue-purple flower spikes and silvery-white stems. This tender perennial is typically grown as an annual in most climates and produces abundant nectar-rich blooms from late spring through fall. Its low, mounding habit and vibrant color make it an excellent choice for borders, containers, and pollinator gardens.
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Example Blue Bedder timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Blue Bedder
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Blue Bedder blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blue Bedder dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11; grown as an annual in cooler zones 3-9
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Get my Blue Bedder timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green cotyledons emerge; first true leaves are narrow and slightly hairy
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to prevent damping off.
Vegetative
4-6 weeksPlant develops bushy growth with multiple stems; silvery-green, lance-shaped leaves emerge along stems
Pinch growing tips when 6 inches tall to encourage branching. Water regularly. Begin fertilizing with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Pre-flowering
2-3 weeksFlower buds begin forming at stem tips; plant reaches full mounding shape
Continue pinching if more compact growth desired. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage blooming. Maintain consistent watering.
Flowering
8-12 weeks (or until frost)Dense spikes of deep blue-purple tubular flowers appear; silvery-white stems become more prominent
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend blooming. Switch to higher phosphorus fertilizer (blooming formula). Water at soil level to avoid wetting flowers.
Senescence/Dormancy
Variable, winter monthsFlowering slows as temperatures cool; foliage may decline in frost-prone areas
In zones 9b+, reduce watering and fertilizing. Cut back by half in late winter to rejuvenate. In colder zones, plants will be killed by frost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Ensure good air circulation. Spray with sulfur or neem oil if needed. Avoid overhead watering.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Increase air circulation.
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Mist foliage to increase humidity. Use miticide or spray with strong water spray. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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and
Hand-pick in early morning. Create barriers with diatomaceous earth. Use beer traps or copper tape.
Uses
Garden color and borders
OrnamentalBlue Bedder provides vibrant blue-purple color to flower beds, borders, and containers from summer through fall. Its compact mounding form makes it ideal for edging, mass plantings, and mixed containers. [source]
Pollinator attractor
WildlifeThe abundant nectar-rich tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens. It provides crucial summer and fall nectar when other food sources are scarce. [source]
Edible flowers
CulinaryThe flowers are edible and can be used as attractive garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages, offering a mild herbal flavor with slight sweetness. [source]
Traditional herbal uses
MedicinalSalvias have been used in traditional medicine for throat and digestive support. Blue Bedder shares properties with other Salvia species, though it's primarily grown ornamentally. [source]
Cut flowers and arrangements
HouseholdThe long, sturdy flower spikes make excellent cut flowers lasting 7-10 days in water, adding height and color to fresh and dried arrangements. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Blue Bedder is grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly (pinching off just below the wilted flowers) to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Cut stems for fresh arrangements by selecting spikes at full color.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Blue Bedder is a cultivar developed specifically for mass market appeal, bred to be more compact and floriferous than wild mealycup sage species.
- 🌱 The silvery-white coating on the stems (called 'farina,' meaning 'meal' in Latin) gives mealycup sage its name and provides some protection against sun damage.
- 🌱 Despite being a tender perennial from Mexico, Blue Bedder thrives as a summer annual in cold climates when started from seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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