{"product_id":"salvia-farinacea-victoria","title":"Salvia Farinacea Victoria","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-description\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eSalvia 'Victoria Blue' Seeds \u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want a plant that delivers uniform, reliable, vertical colour, 'Victoria Blue' is the gold standard. It produces multiple upright stems topped with dense spikes of vivid indigo-blue flowers that last for months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe botanical name \u003cem\u003efarinacea\u003c\/em\u003e refers to the \"mealy\" or flour-like dusting on the flower stems, giving them a silvery-white appearance that makes the deep blue petals glow even brighter. It is neat, bushy, and incredibly heat-tolerant, making it the perfect candidate for patio pots that bake in the sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRead More\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e🌿 Understanding the Plant\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSalvia farinacea is technically a \u003cstrong\u003eHalf-Hardy Perennial\u003c\/strong\u003e, but in the UK it is almost always grown as a \u003cstrong\u003eHalf-Hardy Annual\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt originates from Texas and Mexico, so it loves heat but cannot survive a wet British winter outdoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Strategy:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow it early indoors to get maximum flowering time. Treat it as a summer bedding plant. If you have a frost-free greenhouse, you can pot it up and overwinter it, but most gardeners start fresh from seed each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTop Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a \"cut-and-come-again\" flower. The more spikes you cut for vases (where they last for ages), the more the plant will produce.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Salvia needs a warm start to perform well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSow indoors from February to April. Surface sow onto moist compost and \u003cstrong\u003edo not cover\u003c\/strong\u003e (or use a very fine dusting of vermiculite), as light aids germination. Keep warm (20-24°C). Germination usually takes 10-14 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere to Sow:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt demands \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e. It thrives in light, well-drained soil. It is very drought tolerant once established but will sulk in cold, wet clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare While Growing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePinch out the growing tip when seedlings are 10cm tall to encourage bushier growth. Deadhead spent spikes to keep the plant looking tidy. If the plant gets tired in late summer, give it a liquid feed to boost a second flush of blooms for autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e📋 Plant Specifications\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSalvia farinacea\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eMealy Cup Sage 'Victoria Blue'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eH3\u003c\/strong\u003e (Half-Hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight Required\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eFull Sun ☀️\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e↕️ 45cm - 50cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpread\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e↔️ 30cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e🌱 25cm apart\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e🏺 Containers\u003cbr\u003e🐝 Pollinators\u003cbr\u003e✂️ Dried Flowers\u003cbr\u003e☀️ Hot Spots\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed Count\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eApprox. 100 seeds per packet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e🤝 Perfect Garden Companions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe deep blue spikes of 'Victoria' need bright, contrasting partners to really shine:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style-type: none; padding-left: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 1.3em;\"\u003e🍯\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/rudbeckia-marmalade-seeds\" title=\"Rudbeckia Marmalade Seeds\" style=\"color: #005bd3;\"\u003eRudbeckia 'Marmalade':\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e The classic Blue \u0026amp; Yellow. The golden daisies of Rudbeckia sit at the same height as the Salvia. The contrast between the round gold flowers and the blue spikes creates a vibrant, high-energy display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 1.3em;\"\u003e🎨\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zinnia-lilliput-mix\" title=\"Zinnia Lilliput Seeds\" style=\"color: #005bd3;\"\u003eZinnia 'Lilliput Mix':\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e The shape contrast. Zinnias have stiff, round, pompom heads. Growing them mixed with the vertical spikes of Salvia creates a perfect \"dots and dashes\" texture in a sunny border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e📅 Sowing \u0026amp; Flowering Calendar\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers late June to October.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"overflow-x: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: 0.9em; min-width: 300px;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: left; position: sticky; left: 0; background-color: #f4f4f4; z-index: 10; max-width: 100px;\"\u003eMonth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eJ\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eF\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eM\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eA\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eM\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eJ\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eJ\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eA\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eS\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eO\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eN\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eD\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; position: sticky; left: 0; background-color: #fff; z-index: 10; font-size: 0.9em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow Indoors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; position: sticky; left: 0; background-color: #fff; z-index: 10; font-size: 0.9em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e🌸\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e🌸\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e🌸\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e🌸\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e🌸\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 30px; text-align: center; padding: 20px; background-color: #f4f9f4; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid #dce7dc;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plant is a magnet for bees and butterflies. It holds the \u003cstrong\u003eRHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM)\u003c\/strong\u003e, guaranteeing it is a reliable performer that delivers outstanding results in the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42772494614625,"sku":"SAL-VIC","price":2.3,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9128\/3041\/files\/salvia-farinacea-victoria-4820189.jpg?v=1768812274","url":"https:\/\/secretgardeningclub.co.uk\/products\/salvia-farinacea-victoria","provider":"Secret Gardening Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}