How to Grow Feelin' Blue
Wikimedia Commons
Feelin' Blue
Salvia × 'Feelin' Blue'
flowerFeelin' Blue is a compact, mounding ornamental sage hybrid known for its vibrant blue-purple flowers and silvery-green foliage. This cultivar produces abundant spikes of tubular flowers throughout the growing season, making it an excellent choice for borders, containers, and pollinator gardens. It's valued for its long blooming period and low-maintenance growing requirements.
When should you plant Feelin' Blue in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Feelin' Blue timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Feelin' Blue
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Feelin' Blue blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Feelin' Blue dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 6-10, with best performance in zones 8-9
Sign up free to see if Feelin' Blue grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Feelin' Blue timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green seedlings emerge with first true leaves; delicate appearance
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright light and good air circulation. Avoid damping off by ensuring proper drainage and airflow.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops bushy, mounding form with soft, hairy silvery-green foliage; no flowers yet
Pinch growing tips early to encourage branching and fuller shape. Water moderately. Begin hardening off before transplanting outdoors if started indoors.
Peak Blooming
8-12 weeks or longerPlant is covered with vibrant blue-purple flower spikes; dense, mounding form fully developed
Deadhead regularly to maintain continuous flowering. Reduce watering slightly once established. Fertilize monthly with balanced fertilizer or reduce nitrogen to avoid excessive vegetative growth.
Late Season & Dormancy
Variable by zone; continuous in mild climatesFlowering may decline in extreme heat or cold depending on zone; foliage remains attractive
In cold zones, cut back or mulch lightly for winter protection. In warm zones, reduce watering but maintain light irrigation. Can be pruned back hard in spring for renewal.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe
-
Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly; apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate fungicide; avoid overhead watering
-
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators
-
and
Handpick; use slug bait or copper barriers; encourage ground beetles; avoid mulch near plant base
Uses
Edible flowers
CulinaryThe blue-purple flowers are edible and can be used to garnish salads, cocktails, and desserts for color and mild sage flavor. [source]
Cut and dried arrangements
CraftFlower spikes can be cut fresh for small vase arrangements or dried for long-lasting dried flower arrangements and crafts. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeFeelin' Blue is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing a reliable nectar source throughout the growing season. [source]
Ornamental landscaping
HouseholdThis compact cultivar is ideal for borders, container gardens, rock gardens, and xeriscaping projects due to its drought tolerance and attractive form. [source]
Herbal tea potential
MedicinalLike other Salvia species, the foliage contains aromatic compounds that may have mild culinary and herbal applications, though this cultivar is bred primarily for flowers. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Feelin' Blue is primarily grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. Cut flowers can be used fresh in small arrangements. For seed collection, allow some flowers to mature and dry on the plant in late season, then collect dried seed heads.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Feelin' Blue is a hybrid sage cultivar, combining traits from multiple Salvia species to achieve its vibrant blue color and compact habit.
- 🌱 The common name likely references the bright blue-purple flower color, and Salvia is derived from the Latin word 'salvare,' meaning 'to save,' due to the genus's historical use in folk medicine.
- 🌱 Salvias in general are beloved by native bee species and hummingbirds, and studies show that providing sage plantings in gardens significantly increases pollinator diversity.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Feelin' Blue planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Feelin' Blue seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Feelin' Blue timeline →