Plant Profile: Salvia farinacea

Mealy-cup sage reliably thrives as a perennial primarily in the outer Coastal Plain, while it flourishes beautifully throughout spring, summer, and fall, acting as an annual in the Mountains and Piedmont regions. This plant serves as an excellent bedding option, maintaining a tidy and appealing appearance all summer long. Its leaves are small and softly hairy, complemented by strong, upright flower spikes, making it a suitable choice for cut flowers. Preferring well-drained, moist soil, it can also adapt to dry clay conditions. Ideal planting locations include annual beds, borders, meadows, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens. Notably, this plant is rarely affected by deer.

**Quick Identification**
In southern gardens, mealy-cup sage can perennialize, dying back to the ground in winter, though it is often regarded as an annual. It blooms throughout the summer until frost, and white cultivars are available. However, it is prone to downy and powdery mildew.

For further details on Salvia, please refer to additional resources.