Botanical Name: Salvia farinacea ‘Mirage™ Blue’ Common Name: Blue Salvia, Mealycup Sage Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in Most Climates (Perennial in USDA Zones 8–11) Size: 12–18" Tall × 12–16" Spread Growth Habit: Compact, Upright, Well-Branched Habit Sunlight: Full Sun Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Average to Poor Soils Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established Bloom Season: Late Spring through Frost Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Nitrogen Features: True Blue Flower Spikes, Compact Size, Heat Tolerant, Pollinator Friendly Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Plantings, Pollinator Gardens

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More About Salvia ‘Mirage™ Blue’

Salvia ‘Mirage™ Blue’ is a compact, early-flowering salvia prized for its clear, true blue flower spikes and tidy growth habit. The blooms rise cleanly above dark green foliage, providing crisp color and strong contrast from late spring through the height of summer. The Mirage™ series was bred specifically for uniformity, compact size, and excellent heat tolerance, making this variety ideal for gardeners who want reliable color without excessive height or flopping.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Mirage™ Blue’ has been a dependable, low-maintenance performer, especially in full sun and high heat. It flowers early, maintains a neat shape without pinching, and continues producing blooms steadily with minimal care. We especially appreciate its design flexibility. Its controlled size makes it easy to use at the front of borders, in mixed containers, or planted in groups for clean, modern mass displays.

Mirage™ Blue vs. Other Salvia Varieties

Salvia ‘Mirage™ Blue’ is defined by restraint and reliability, offering clean blue color in a compact, well-behaved plant. As part of the Mirage™ Series, it shares the same tidy footprint as Mirage™ Cherry Red, differing primarily in tone rather than performance. Rather than competing for height like Rockin’® Varieties or tender perennials such as Wendy’s Wish, it stays low and uniform, making it ideal for borders, containers, and tight garden spaces. Its growth habit mirrors Purple & Bloom in scale, but with a cooler color that blends easily into softer palettes. 

Where Mirage™ Blue excels is usability. It can be repeated in mass plantings without overwhelming neighboring plants, something taller or looser salvias struggle with. Compared to Hot Lips, it sacrifices novelty for predictability, which appeals to gardeners who want clean lines and consistent bloom. Pollinator activity is steady and practical, particularly from bees, even if it doesn’t dominate the garden the way taller hummingbird-focused varieties do. For gardeners prioritizing control, spacing, and dependable color, Mirage™ Blue acts as a foundational salvia rather than a focal one.