Salvia, ‘White Swan’

(Salvia viridis) This family of salvia is unusual among flowering plants in that it is the bract (a specialized leaf associated with a flower) rather than the flower itself that is the star of the show. Small nondescript white flowers begin to appear at leaf nodes along the stems which, in spite of their size, are very attractive to bees and other pollinators. Patience is rewarded though, later in the season as ornate white bracts with delicate green veining appear at the tips of each shoot. They are graceful long-stemmed, very long-lasting cuts to add an elegant vertical element to arrangements, both fresh and dried. Stately, bushy plants with many long upright stems grow to waist height and are a lovely addition to ornamental gardens.
90 days. UO

Packet: 50 seeds

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost.

Transplant out after last frost.

Direct sow after last frost.

Note: Long-blooming and drought tolerant. Patience required and rewarded as they take some time to develop their white bracts.

PLANTING DEPTH:

Surface sow or cover seeds very lightly

SPACING:

8-12″ in rows 15″ apart.

EMERGENCE:

12-18 days @ soil temp 70-80F

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Average. Tolerant to most soil types but prefers well-drained  and evenly moist soil. Will tolerate some drought.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Loved by pollinators!

Fresh and dried flower.

While not absolutely necessary, you may provide a staking or netting to keep them upright and tidy.

Harvest when bracts are fully white and expect a vase life of 7-10 days.