Salvia x superba 'Adora Blue' (Hybrid sage 'Adora Blue')

Botanical name

Salvia x superba 'Adora Blue'

Other names

Hybrid sage 'Adora Blue'

Genus

Salvia Salvia

Variety or Cultivar

'Adora Blue' _ 'Adora Blue' is an upright, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with oblong to lance-shaped, hairy, mid-green leaves and dense, terminal racemes of hooded, tubular, dark violet blue flowers in late spring and throughout summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Foliage is scented

Habit

Clump-forming, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Blue, Violet in Spring; Violet, Blue in Summer

Foliage

Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Leafhoppers , Slugs , Snails

Diseases

Generally disease free.

General care

Pruning

Remove flower spikes as they fade to prolong flowering. Cut back if becoming untidy to encourage fresh leaves and a second bloom.

Propagation

'Adora Blue' can be sown from seed and will be true to type.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Salvia x superba 'Adora Blue' (Hybrid sage 'Adora Blue') will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Coastal

Cultivation

Plant in light, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Grows best in full sun but can also tolerate light, dappled shade. May flop in hot, humid summers. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Dislikes wet winter conditions.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Salvia x superba 'Adora Blue' (Hybrid sage 'Adora Blue')

Common pest name

Alfalfa dwarf; Anaheim disease; California vine disease; Dwarf disease of alfalfa; Dwarf disease of lucerne; Leaf scald of oleander; Leaf scald of plum; Leaf scorch; Phony disease of peach; Pierce's disease of grapevine; Variegated chlorosis of citrus

Scientific pest name

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex

Type

Bacterium

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A bacterial disease with a wide host range detected in Corsica. Although EU regulated; there remains some concern about the risk of introduction. This subspecies is known to be able to thrive in cooler climates. Should an outbreak occur; there would be a need for eradication action which would result in environmental and social impacts.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Salvia x superba 'Adora Blue' (Hybrid sage 'Adora Blue')

Common pest name

tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Ceratothripoides brunneus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Salvia x superba 'Adora Blue' (Hybrid sage 'Adora Blue')

Common pest name

Green semi-looper

Scientific pest name

Chrysodeixis eriosoma

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous moth pest which is morphologically identical to a pest already established in the UK in protected environments and being controlled by IPM. Not expected to cause greater impacts than other species of Chrysodeixis in the UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/