Blue Marvel Salvia

Salvia nemorosa 'Blue Marvel'

Nature Hills Nursery

Vibrant Violet-Blue Bottlebrush Spires Bloom Spring to Frost Without Fading
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 1 ft Tall and Wide
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Bees and Butterflies

$16⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Ensure this plant receives full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day. If planted in too much shade, the stems will stretch to find light, causing the plant to flop open and produce fewer blooms.
Soil: Plant in average to gritty soil that drains exceptionally well, as "wet feet" and heavy clay are the enemies of Salvia. If you have heavy soil, amend it with organic matter or plant in a raised bed, but avoid overly rich soil which can cause weak, leggy growth.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to encourage the roots to grow deep into the ground. Once established, Blue Marvel is quite drought-tolerant and usually only requires supplemental watering during long periods of heat and no rain. Inconsistent watering or keeping the soil too wet can lead to root rot and weak stems, so err on the side of keeping it slightly drier.

Pruning Tips

This perennial blooms on new growth, and removing spent flowers is the key to extending the show. After the first flush of blooms finishes in late spring or early summer, shear the foliage back by about one-third to tidy the shape and force a second round of flowers. You can leave the final seed heads for winter interest or cut the plant back to the ground in late winter before new growth emerges.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a top-dressing of compost once in early spring as new green growth begins to appear. Avoid heavy fertilization, particularly products high in nitrogen, because this will fuel lush foliage at the expense of flowers and make the plant floppy.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Rich and mysterious, the Blue Marvel Salvia (Salvia nemorosa 'Blue Marvel') is a highly saturated bright violet-blue flowering perennial that displays dramatic color! Covered from spring until frost in dramatic wands filled with slightly lighter petals to create loads of bottlebrush spires that last and last! Native bees and honeybees adore these rich hues!

The herbal fragrance and dark gray-green shrub-like mounds of textured foliage only add to the magical effect! The mysterious deep blue flowers hold their color through the heat and humidity and like others in the Salvia family, these easy-to-grow perennials create upwards-sweeping spreading forms. Bespeckled in butterflies and Hummingbirds, the flowering starts in spring and lasts all summer into the autumn.

Little Blue Marvel Salvia is not fussy and true to the perennial Salvia family, they are incredibly heat and cold tolerant throughout USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9! Creating upright blooming spreading mounds that grow into a space-saving 10-12 inches in height when in bloom, and spread to a tidy, compact mound up to a foot across. If you religiously deadhead the spent blooms as they fade, you can enjoy color until frost!

Planting and Application:

Blue Marvel Salvia, Also known as Meadow Sage, the spicy herbal fragrance of the foliage perfumes the air when you brush past it. So use these miniature Salvia plants as edging along paths and popping up along walkways. Add fragrance to your seating area mixed containers, and planters on porches, back decks, balconies, and patio garden areas!

Plant Ornamental Sage around orchards and vegetable gardens to attract more bees to your area for increased pollination and to act as living mulch! Plant in rows, en masse drifts, and in groupings to maximize all the amazing benefits these hardy plants extend to your landscape!

This new favorite has the same classic Salvia effect on your perennial borders for long-lasting color, nectar-rich blooms for pollinator gardens, cut flower gardens, and vertical fillers in container gardens! The xeric and waterwise nature makes these plants perfect for the Rock Garden and in hot, sun-drenched areas of the landscape.

Dramatic Dark Violet-Blue Flower Spikes
Upward Growing Aromatic Foliage
Space-Saving Mounded Growth
Butterfly, Hummingbird & Bee-Friendly
Easy Care & Low Maintenance Perennials
Edging, Containers & Planters, Long-Lasting Color

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Salvia are herbaceous perennials that need the full sun to bloom their very best! Grow Salvia in well-drained soil that has moderate, regular moisture their first year, and after they are established can be drought tolerant and xeric! Deadhead often as flowers fade to keep more blooms returning from spring to frost. In late autumn, trim back the mounds of foliage for a clean look.

Full Sun
Moderate Moisture Needs
Any Well-Drained Soil
Deadhead Often & Prune Late Fall
Deer & Rabbit Resistant

Blue Marvel Salvia is just the vivid little flowering powerhouse your landscape needs! Hurry and order enough for your next project today at NatureHills.com!

Botanical Name

Salvia nemorosa 'Blue Marvel'
Class

Lamiales
Species

nemorosa
Cultivar

Blue Marvel
Growing Zones

4-9
Height

1 ft
Width

1 ft
Sunlight

Full sun
Growth Rate

Fast
Flower Color

Blue
Leaf Color

Green
Native

Yes
Fragrant

Yes
Bloom Period

Late Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Blue Marvel Salvia suitable for?

Blue Marvel Salvia thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9, making it adaptable to both cold winters and hot summers. This heat and cold tolerant perennial performs reliably across most of the continental United States. Plant it confidently in spring for blooms that last until frost.

How tall and wide does Blue Marvel Salvia grow at maturity?

Blue Marvel Salvia reaches 10-12 inches tall and spreads up to 12 inches wide at maturity. This compact perennial forms tidy, space-saving mounds perfect for edging and containers. Plant multiples for maximum impact in zones 4-9, available at naturehills.com.

Does Blue Marvel Salvia prefer full sun, partial shade, or full shade?

Blue Marvel Salvia thrives in full sun for best flowering and compact growth. Like most perennial salvias, it tolerates some morning shade but needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant in the sunniest spot available for maximum blooms from spring through frost.

What type of soil does Blue Marvel Salvia need to thrive?

Blue Marvel Salvia thrives in well-draining soil and tolerates poor conditions once established. This hardy perennial adapts to various soil types across zones 4-9. Plant in full sun to partial shade for best flowering performance from spring through frost.

How often should I water Blue Marvel Salvia after planting?

Water newly planted Blue Marvel Salvia deeply once or twice weekly until established, typically 4-6 weeks. This heat-tolerant perennial (zones 4-9) becomes quite drought-resistant once its roots develop. Reduce watering frequency after establishment, and shop at Nature Hills for quality plants.

Is Blue Marvel Salvia considered a fast-growing or slow-growing plant?

Blue Marvel Salvia is a moderate-growing perennial that reaches its full size of 10-12 inches tall and 12 inches wide within one growing season. It blooms continuously from spring through frost in zones 4-9. Plant in spring for full-sized flowering mounds by summer.

What color are the flowers on Blue Marvel Salvia?

Blue Marvel Salvia produces highly saturated bright violet-blue flowers with slightly lighter petals that form dramatic bottlebrush spires. The deep blue blooms hold their rich color well through heat and humidity from spring until frost. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to maintain continuous blooming throughout the growing season.

Is Blue Marvel Salvia deer resistant or will deer eat it?

Blue Marvel Salvia is generally deer resistant due to its aromatic foliage that deer typically avoid. The herbal fragrance that makes this perennial so appealing to gardeners acts as a natural deterrent. Plant it along garden borders or near vulnerable plants for added protection.