Tricolor Clary Sage (Salvia viridis horminum) is a vibrant annual herb celebrated for its colorful bracts that appear in brilliant shades of blue, pink, and white. Though it produces small true flowers, the showy bracts provide the real color display.
This easy-to-grow plant not only enhances your garden’s beauty but also attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its aromatic leaves and upright habit make it an excellent choice for borders, flower beds, and herbal gardens.
🌼 Key Features
- Beautiful tricolor blooms: blue, pink, and white bracts
- Aromatic herb from the sage family (Salvia)
- Perfect for cut flowers and pollinator gardens
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Easy to grow from seed, suitable for containers or borders
- Non-GMO, heirloom-quality seeds
🌿 Specifications
- Scientific Name: Salvia viridis (syn. Salvia horminum)
- Common Name: Tricolor Clary Sage
- Plant Type: Annual Herb / Flower
- Seed Type: Non-GMO, Open-Pollinated
- Bloom Colors: Blue, Pink, White
- Mature Height: 18–24 inches (45–60 cm)
- Spread: 12–18 inches (30–45 cm)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9 (grown as annual)
- Light Requirements: Full Sun
- Soil Type: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
- Watering Needs: Moderate
- Bloom Period: Summer through Early Fall
- Germination Time: 14–21 days
- Temperature for Germination: 65–75°F (18–24°C)
- Spacing: 10–12 inches apart
- Uses: Ornamental, pollinator-friendly, cut flowers, herbal interest
- Fragrance: Lightly aromatic foliage and bracts
🌱 Planting Guide
- Sow seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after frost danger passes.
- Lightly press seeds into the soil surface; do not cover deeply.
- Maintain soil moisture during germination.
- Provide full sunlight for healthy, compact growth.
- Transplant seedlings when 3–4 inches tall into well-drained soil.
- Water moderately — avoid waterlogging.
- Deadhead faded blooms to encourage continuous flowering.
- Suitable for borders, containers, or herb gardens.
- Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Allow some plants to go to seed for natural reseeding.
