Name this flower

Sherrie S
by Sherrie S
I sometimes buy a little flower to see if I like it. I don't label it so I have to come to Hometalk to identify it. I thought it as a lavender, then I thought it might be a blue bonnet.
What is it?
  22 answers
  • R.V.R. Farris R.V.R. Farris on Apr 29, 2013
    I bet it's a type of salvia. And Douglas Hunt will in all likelihood know.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Apr 29, 2013
    Thank you @R.V.R. Farris - shows what I know. I'm now waiting for @Douglas Hunt for the final answer.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 29, 2013
    Definitely a salvia. Possibly "Victoria Blue."
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Apr 29, 2013
    Thank you @Douglas Hunt I was so surprised at this plant because it grew so much larger than the original "test plant" and lived through Florida winter. I've got a new place to use these flowers in a big bed. I really appreciate your expertise. When is the next garden show you are involved in?
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 29, 2013
    Sherrie, I find one of the things plants most ignore is the size they are supposed to grow. There are no garden shows on my agenda as a participant, but I'm planning to go to the Spring Fling at Sugar Mill Gardens in Port Orange this Sunday from noon to 4 as a (potential) buyer.
  • Nancy Hand Nancy Hand on Apr 29, 2013
    Pretty Salvia!! :)
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Apr 29, 2013
    @Douglas Hunt I'd love to know what you learn. You know so much & I am interested in anything you recommend.
  • Leida R Leida R on Apr 30, 2013
    OH WOW!!! These are GORGEOUS!!! I'm going to start looking for them, @Sherrie because I WANT them.
  • Viv Viv on Apr 30, 2013
    It is called blue salvia.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Apr 30, 2013
    @Leida R that was one 2" container plant last year. I'm really happy with its growth. I'll be buying more this year.
  • Joe Abbet Joe Abbet on Apr 30, 2013
    Mealy Blue Sage. Salvia farinacea. native to Texas, grows wild mostly in chalky limestone soils. Usually perennial in . Gets 14-28" tall. "Victoria Blue" is a selection. There are also white forms, which are really a very pale gray. Attracts butterflies.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Apr 30, 2013
    @Joe Abbet anything from texas works here. I bought the texas lilac and that plant is wonderful. I also buy all of my pond lillies from Texas.
  • Sharon E. Hines Sharon E. Hines on Apr 30, 2013
    I love blue salvia!
  • Carolyn Carolyn on May 03, 2013
    Blue salvia
  • Sharon Burton Sharon Burton on May 14, 2013
    It looks like a blue salvia. They are beautiful
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Jun 08, 2013
    Victoria Blue Salvia is one of the plants that is a "Must have" in my gardens. Many years ago when I bought my first plant (identified by the garden shop as an annual) I was surprised and excited to see it come back the next summer bigger and better than the year before!! Evidently it tolerates our milder winters here in Missouri. My plants got almost knee high last year..... waiting for them to show themselves now that the weather is heating up!!
  • Carolyn Carolyn on Jun 14, 2013
    Carolyn I think it is salvia.
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Jun 15, 2013
    Carolyn you and many others are so correct. Thank you.
  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Jul 16, 2013
    Yes its salvia,,here in NW this variety is an annual. there are lots that are perrienals..I love this in my planters with the red gerranuims and white filler plants.. keep the dead heads picked for many more blooms
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Jul 16, 2013
    @Wanda sinnema mine are looking kinda wimpy now but still pretty. I'll cut off the bad and see what happens next. thank you.
  • Ruth Wolery Ruth Wolery on Oct 07, 2014
    Yes, I live in central Ohio, and I have this - it is called Victoria Blue and it is a perennial. Please cut the dead stems for more. Where is Debary, FL ? compared to Port Charlotte where I go in the winter. Port Charlotte is on the SW area - just north of Ft. Myers.