Rockin'^® Playin' the Blues^® Salvia longispicata x farinacea

One of my favorites in my garden! This salvia bloomed from the time I planted it until the first hard frost just a month ago. So roughly May-the end of October. Not only did it bloom ceaselessly, pollinators were all over it! Technically these should be perennial in my zone 7 garden, so I'm really looking forward to next spring to see how (if) they perform next growing season.

For balcony railing gardens, this salvia will give you great screening from bad views, attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and flower from planting until frost (and maybe even beyond). The bumblebees, in particular, loved it so much, they would hang out all day and even take naps on it! So busy eating and sleeping, they never cared if I was right there, even handling the plants as they ate. Because I’ve had mixed results with other salvias in the past, I made the mistake of planting two plants instead of just one in my rectangular railing planters. This was, by far, the most vigorous and successful salvia I’ve ever grown. One in each planter would have been more than enough. Existing spikes just kept on putting out more and more continuous flowers as new spikes also matured. It was really an incredible show that my neighbors complimented me on over and over again. Planted in full afternoon sun with Superbells as spillers, it wasn’t long until it grew, and grew, and grew, and grew, easily reaching 3 feet or more by summer’s end, with plenty of blooms throughout the fall. Plants required staking to survive some stronger winds and rain, but once propped up, they just kept on going, and even more damaged plants grew back in with vigor. If you are planting on a balcony with a roof or overhang, they can become heavy toward the front and cause the planters to tip forward. That’s why, next season, I’m going to try the “Unplugged So Blue” variety, which is shorter, instead. Rockin’ does almost TOO well for balcony railing planters. I’d definitely plant them again if I had a garden on the ground.

Love love love ❤️. These are gorgeous!! My favorite salvia for sure!

I planted these in raised deck containers in early summer (to replace a different salvia that underperformed.) They quickly grew to catch up and surpass the other plants in the pots. Definitely a pollinator magnet, always in bloom. They grew to about 3’. Eventually a few stems split, but I expected that due to how exposed my containers are to high wind. The stems are very strong and become woody at the base by the end of the season. Despite splitting, the branches did not wilt. I staked them up and the plants didn’t miss a beat. I used a liquid fertilizer once a week. This plant will be in my yard next season for sure, but more of them. I plan on pruning to develop better side branching.

This is an outstanding plant. I used it in a mass planting in my front yard flower bed (gets sun all day long.) It is not fussy. Once established it keeps going strong, requires no deadheading, fills out beautifully, retains its colour all summer long, and is a massive pollinator magnet. I used it as a filler in a bed and it did not disappoint. It provides outstandingly super performance. It's elegance and beauty are second to none. I'll have it back next summer for sure. Five stars!