Sensation® Sky Blue Salvia

Salvia nemorosa 'Florsalsbu'

Plants that Work®

Compact Blue Salvias Plant with Reblooming Potential When Deadheaded for Extended Color
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Grows 1-2 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Blue, Purple Blooms From Late Spring to Late Summer
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant

$31⁶⁴

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

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.

Sensation Sky Blue Salvia – Bold Color, Compact Size

Gorgeous blue mini-spires, the Sensation Sky Blue Salvia (Salvia nemorosa 'Florsalsbu') is a cool-hued beauty bred for impact and compactness. This perennial is also known as Meadow Sage, renowned for long-lasting blooms and pollinator appeal! Its soft sky-blue flower spikes appear from late spring to early summer, with the potential for a second flush if deadheaded.

Come bloom time, it sends up vertical stalks studded in masses of soft lavender-blue flowers, attracting hummingbirds and bees like magnets! When the flowers fade, the calyces still offer texture and color for weeks.

Its habit is neat and mounded, forming a dense clump of gray-green, wrinkled, long, and tapering leaves. Come fall, foliage may turn golden-green before going dormant—then back it comes in spring, bigger and better!

Key Features

Compact, dwarf Salvia with soft sky-blue flower spikes
Blooms in late spring; reblooms with deadheading
Stays under 12 inches tall and wide
Aromatic, textured foliage deters deer and rabbits
Cold-hardy and drought tolerant
Pollainator magnet!

Landscaping Uses

Sensation Sky Blue Salvia forms a tidy, upright clump, perfect for small-scale landscapes and containers. With its upright form, aromatic foliage, and tidy size, it's perfect for borders, rock gardens, or containers. This dwarf cultivar stays put at under 12-14 inches tall and wide, so there's no flopping or staking required.

Edging along sunny garden borders or walkways
Low-growing Pollinator Garden accents
Xeriscapes and perfect for Rock Gardens
Colorful front-of-border accents
Potted combinations on patios or balconies

Care and Maintenance

This herbaceous perennial dies back in winter and comes roaring back every spring with even more vigor. Sensation Sky Blue Salvia is as low-maintenance as they come.

Hailing from European meadows and woodlands, Salvia nemorosa and its cultivars, like Sensation Sky Blue, are members of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). This Salvia cousin thrives in USDA Zones 5-9 and is prized for its deer resistance, drought tolerance, and tidy growth. It also tolerates clay and urban soil conditions with minimal fuss!

Planting Time: Best in spring or early fall
Sun Needs: Full sun - needs 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day
Soil Needs: Well-drained; tolerant of clay, loam, and sand. Salvia dislikes soggy soil
Moisture Needs: Moderate to low once established
Arborist Mulch: A 3–4 inch layer of bark mulch or arborist chips helps retain moisture and control weeds, while compost enriches soil
Fertilization Needs: Light feeder; a spring dose of compost usually suffices
Pruning Info: Deadhead after first bloom to encourage reblooming; cut back hard in fall or early spring
Special Needs/Perks/Growing Tips:

Rabbit and deer-resistant
Disease and pest-resistant
Extremely cold hardy
Handles clay soil, pollution, heat, and humidity with ease

Division Info: Divide every 3–4 years in spring if needed

A Sky-High Performer in a Compact Package

The Sensation Sky Blue Salvia might be short in stature, but it delivers sky-high impact in the garden. From its fragrant foliage to its reblooming flowers and rugged adaptability, it's a must-have for pollinator lovers and tidy garden designers alike.

Buy now and Nature Hills will ship at the ideal planting time for your growing zone.

Botanical Name

Salvia nemorosa 'Florsalsbu'
Class

Lamiales
Species

nemorosa
Cultivar

Florsalsbu
Growing Zones

5-9
Height

1-2 ft
Width

1-2 ft
Sunlight

Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color

Blue, Purple
Leaf Color

Green
Fragrant

Yes
Bloom Period

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

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 5-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sensation® Sky Blue Salvia a perennial or an annual?

Sensation Sky Blue Salvia is a hardy perennial that dies back in winter and returns each spring with increased vigor. This herbaceous perennial stays compact at under 12-14 inches tall and wide. Plant it once and enjoy years of sky-blue blooms from late spring through summer.

What are the sunlight requirements for Sensation® Sky Blue Salvia?

Sensation Sky Blue Salvia thrives in full sun to partial sun conditions. This compact perennial needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce its best blooms from late spring through summer. Plant in sunny borders or rock gardens for optimal flowering performance.

Is Sensation® Sky Blue Salvia deer resistant or rabbit proof?

Sensation® Sky Blue Salvia's aromatic, textured foliage naturally deters both deer and rabbits. The fragrant leaves are typical of the mint family, making this compact perennial an excellent choice for areas with browsing pressure. Plant it confidently in borders or rock gardens where wildlife damage is a concern.

Can Sensation® Sky Blue Salvia be grown successfully in containers or pots?

Yes, Sensation Sky Blue Salvia thrives in containers with its compact 12-14 inch size and tidy, upright habit. Its dwarf nature requires no staking, making it ideal for pots on patios or balconies. Choose a container with drainage holes and place in full sun for best blooms.

What type of soil does Sensation® Sky Blue Salvia prefer?

Sensation Sky Blue Salvia thrives in well-draining soil and tolerates poor, rocky conditions typical of its native European meadows. This drought-tolerant perennial actually performs better in average to lean soils rather than rich, fertile ground. Shop at Nature Hills for this adaptable 12-inch beauty that's perfect for rock gardens and xeriscapes.

How is Sensation® Sky Blue Salvia shipped—as bare roots, potted plants, or something else?

Sensation Sky Blue Salvia ships as potted plants, not bare root. This allows the compact perennial to establish quickly in your garden without transplant shock. Plant your potted salvia in spring after frost danger passes for best results.

Will Sensation® Sky Blue Salvia survive winter in my zone, or is it hardy?

Sensation Sky Blue Salvia is cold-hardy and returns reliably each spring as a perennial. This herbaceous plant dies back completely in winter but comes back with increased vigor the following season. Check your specific hardiness zone compatibility before planting to ensure successful overwintering.

What care is needed after blooming, like cutting back or dividing?

Deadhead spent blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers in late summer. This herbaceous perennial dies back naturally in winter and returns with more vigor each spring. Cut back old foliage in late fall or early spring before new growth emerges.