Pineapple Sage
Salvia elegans
Family: Lamiaceae
Herbaceous perennial that can get some woody stems at the base, eventually, reaching 2-3’, about 2’ wide. Purplish blue flowers in warm weather, almost year round.
Several cultivars are cultivated, such as 'Blue Bedder', 'Victoria' with intense violet-blue flowers and 'Strata' with white and blue flowers. Crosses between S. farinacea and S. longispicata (S. longispicata × S. farinacea) are widely sold as ornamental plants, such as 'Indigo Spires' or 'Mystic Spires Blue'.
Full to part sun, moderate water, hardy to 5°F, cut back when necessary.
Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers as are butterflies and other nectar-seekers. Larval food plant for many moth species.
There are 1045 species of Salvia all over the world. The genus name, salvia, comes from the Latin word salvia, which is related to the Latin words salvus (safe, healthy, secure) and salvēre (to heal, to feel healthy). The name refers to the medicinal properties of some plants in the genus. Specific epithet comes from the Latin word for flour or meal and is in reference to the white powdery felting found on the upper stems and calyx. In the common name, “mealy” means covered with powdery meal and “cup” is in reference to the calyx shape.
Native to the plains, prairies, meadows and woodland edges of Mexico, central and western Texas and New Mexico in limestone soils from 3500-6000 ft.