Salvia ‘Blue by You’

Published April 24, 2019

Perennial breeders have been busy improving the programmability of Salvia nemorosa and growers can reap the benefits of these innovations. A great example of this new Salvia breeding is ‘Blue by You’ from Darwin Perennials. Their creative plant breeders combined S. nemorosa with another hardy species, S. pratensis, to deliver a Salvia that flowers very early with season-long flower-power. Here are some keys to success.

For more: darwinperennials.com

Photo courtesy of Darwin Perennials

Production

Propagation

Propagating temperatures should be 68-72° Fahrenheit in the rooting media. Darwin Perennials recommends using a basal stem dip using 1,000 ppm IBA-based rooting hormone. Cuttings benefit from a medium- to high-mist cycle for the first 24 hours to provide re-hydration and then prefer a medium- to low-mist setting until rooted. The company also suggests that growers begin with a balanced liquid feed of 15-5-15 or 17-4-17 starting seven days after sticking. Salvia are heavy feeders and this technique is very important to starting them off well. Don’t oversaturate the rooting media and remove from mist altogether as soon as roots begin to appear, normally 10 to 12 days after sticking. Remove any buds that may appear in propagation.

Growing on to finish

Transplant Salvia ‘Blue by You’ into final growing containers eight to 12 weeks prior to sale, depending on location. (Scheduling information can be found at darwinperennials.com)

Salvia are considered heavy feeders and ‘Blue by You’ is no exception. Controlled release fertilizer at the rate of 1lb/cu yard N can be incorporated into the media prior to planting or constant liquid feed at 175-200 ppm N is also effective. Maintain media pH between 5.8 and 6.2. Grow finished plants in full sun for best habit and flower color.

Because Salvia ‘Blue by You’ requires no vernalization to flower, it can be planted and scheduled for on-demand shipping. It can also be grown under a traditional fall planting schedule and will perform as well as other varieties on the market. It has also consistently exhibited a very early flowering response.

Plant growth regulators are typically not necessary for good plant development. If your growing conditions are causing signs of plant stretch however, a spray of 2,500 ppm B-Nine/800 ppm Cycocel has been effective in reducing overall plant height.

All Salvia prefer cool night temperatures to finish (58-62° F). Plan to deliver Salvia ‘Blue by You’ when two to three flower stems are showing color. If this is too early for your market, don’t worry. The long blooming window of ‘Blue by You’ provides plenty of time to send plants to market.

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