Masses of pencil-thin, vibrantly colorful bloomspikes arise on this perennial sage, so densely set that they present a solid wall of color in the border.

The deep blue blooms are richly colorful on dwarf 12-inch plants, blooming in early summer and then repeating their fine show later in the season. A spectacular source of dark, intense color and narrow, vertical form, Blue Queen is one of the finest salvias we know, attracting butterflies to the garden and prompting exclamations and double-takes from visitors.

Direct sow this salvia in midsummer for spring bloom, or begin the seeds indoors in late winter for first-year bloom. Not fussy about soil, it flourishes in blazing sun, tolerating drought and often reblooming.