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How to Grow Jade Blue

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Jade Blue

Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'

shrub

Jade Blue is a striking ornamental sage with deep blue flowers and dark purple-black calyces that create a dramatic two-tone effect. This tender perennial shrub is prized for its vibrant blooms and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the growing season. It grows as a woody-based herbaceous shrub that can be grown as an annual in cooler climates.

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Example Jade Blue timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Jade Blue

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Jade Blue

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Jade Blue dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily
💧
Water: Moderate watering; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Drought tolerant once established. Reduce watering in winter.
📏
Spacing: 24 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first flowers from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: Plant transplants at soil level; seeds barely covered, 1/8 inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost perlite sand for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 8b-11; grown as an annual in colder zones

8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with first true leaves appearing 10-14 days after germination

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin crowded seedlings.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks

Young plant developing woody stems and lance-shaped green foliage; no flowers yet

Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier growth. Water regularly. Begin fertilizing every 2-3 weeks.

3

Budding

2-3 weeks

Plant reaches mature size with visible flower buds forming along stems; dark calyces becoming apparent

Continue pinching if you want fuller shape before flowering. Maintain consistent watering.

4

Flowering

8-12 weeks (until frost in cooler zones)

Tubular bright blue flowers with black-purple calyces blooming profusely on tall spikes

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Fertilize weekly with balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer. Keep well-watered during heat.

5

Dormancy/Winter (in zones 8b-9)

3-4 months

Plant dies back partially or completely; may retain some woody stems

Reduce watering significantly. Cut back dead growth in spring. Provide mulch in zone 8b.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Coreopsis Blanket flower Russian sage Catmint Tickseed Agapanthus Ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

High-nitrogen fertilizer heavy feeders (which can reduce flowering) Plants requiring constant moisture

Common Pests

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Increase humidity.

  • Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days.

  • Improve air circulation; apply sulfur dust or fungicide spray. Remove affected leaves.

  • and

    Hand-pick; use copper barriers or slug bait around plants.

Uses

🦋

Hummingbird and Pollinator Magnet

Wildlife

The tubular blue flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds and attractive to bees and butterflies, making Jade Blue an excellent choice for creating wildlife gardens and supporting pollinator populations. [source]

🍳

Herbal Tea (Edible Flowers)

Culinary

Though primarily ornamental, the flowers and leaves are edible and can be dried for herbal tea with a mild, pleasant sage flavor and potential digestive benefits. [source]

🏠

Cut Flowers and Arrangements

Household

The striking blue and black two-tone flowers make excellent long-lasting cut flowers for fresh arrangements and dry well for dried flower crafts. [source]

🎨

Ornamental Garden Focal Point

Craft

With its dramatic coloring and tall spikes of flowers, Jade Blue serves as a striking vertical element in mixed borders, cottage gardens, and Mediterranean-style landscapes. [source]

Harvest Tips

Jade Blue is ornamental and not typically harvested for food. Cut flowers can be harvested for arrangements when in full bloom and will last 7-10 days in water. For seed collection, allow some flowers to go to seed; harvest seed pods when dry and brown.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The 'Black and Blue' cultivar is named for its distinctive dark purple-black calyces contrasted with bright blue flowers—one of the most colorful combinations in the sage family.
  • 🌱 Jade Blue is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is related to culinary basil, oregano, and thyme, though it's primarily grown for ornamental purposes.
  • 🌱 This plant is highly attractive to hummingbirds and can bloom from early summer until the first hard frost, providing months of nectar-rich flowers for these fast-moving pollinators.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Deadhead Full Sun Germination Mulch Perennial Pinch Back True Leaves
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