Blue Sage (Eranthemum Pulchellum)

Blue Sage (Eranthemum Pulchellum)

Botanical Name: Eranthemum Pulchellum

Also Known as:

• Lilac Flower
• Winter Blue

Eranthemum Pulchellum is a tropical evergreen shrub

Eranthemum Pulchellum, commonly called blue sage, is a tropical evergreen shrub that grows in an upright-open form to 2-5′ tall. It is native to India and China. It is noted for its axillary and terminal spikes (3-6″ long) of gentian blue flowers (each 3/4″ diameter). Where winter hardy, blooms of this shrub usually appear most profusely in late winter to early spring, but continue throughout most of the year. Each flower spike is subtended by showy green and white veined floral bracts which remain after the flowers drop. Ovate to elliptic medium green leaves (to 4-8″ long).

Care and Growth: 

Soil: Requires fertile, moist but well drained soil in a lightly shaded location

Light: Loves bright ambient light, it is required to make shade from direct sunlight. Suited east and west window.

Water: Requires abundant watering, between watering the soil should dry out a bit. In winter, watered moderately – 1 time a week. The soil should be moderately moist.

Temperature: In summer: preferably not higher than 75, 2 ° F; in winter, the minimum is +64, 4 ° F. A cooler content will prolong flowering.

Fertilizer: ½ tsp of fertilizer per gallon of water every two weeks. Excessive fertilization can create difficulties in culture. When active growth stops in winter, discontinue feeding. Use a balanced fertilizer like a 15-15-15 or a blooming fertilizer like 7-9-5.

(Flowering plants only blossom naturally in their respective seasons. Fruit-bearing plants only produce fruits naturally during their growing seasons. All plants are sold in generic nursery pots, and may naturally vary in colors/sizes from the exact images illustrated above.)