When we talk about Pollinators, we love to focus on host plants and all the great native plants that support the complete life cycle of pollinators, but there are so many annuals and herbs that are also beneficial to pollinators. They provide valuable pollen and nectar sources throughout the growing season. And with so many that bloom throughout the summer, they are not only great food sources but also stunning and rewarding blooms for us humans too!

This week we want to spotlight a Painters pollinator favorite: Salvia farinacea or Mealycup Sage! While it sports a name only a mother could love, this steady and sturdy bloomer is your garden's new pollinator sleeper agent!

Known for its long blooming and vibrant flowers, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  Fabulous in the garden en masse, it's a dependable annual flower that can grow in part shade and it tolerates poor soils. And as a good-sized sage, but not overly large, it’s perfect in containers. 

Find it in both blue and white at Painters now! In our Annual Clearance Sale, 3.5” pots are now $1.05!

Mealycup Sage 'Victoria Blue'

• Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'

• Annual (tender perennial z8-10) 

• Full sun-part shade

• Grows 1-2' tall, 10-18'' wide

• Beautiful deep blue flowers summer to fall; compact, densely branched habit

Mealycup Sage 'Victoria White'

• Salvia farinacea 'Victoria White'

• Annual (tender perennial z8-10) 

• Full sun-part shade

• Grows 1-2' tall, 10-18'' wide

• Pure white flower spikes summer to fall; compact, densely branched habit

And don’t forget about these other great annuals for pollinator plants (that we still have good quantities of!): pentas, zinnias, cosmos, lantana, verbena, cuphea, mints, basils, catnip, borage, anise hyssop, many other annual sages and many more!