Clary Sage Oxford Blue (Salvia viridis) – close-up of purple flowers with indigo-blue bracts

Clary Sage Oxford Blue

£2.20
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Clary Sage Oxford Blue (Salvia viridis) – close-up of purple flowers with indigo-blue bracts
RHS Plants for PollinatorsBeginner friendly

Clary Sage Oxford Blue

Salvia viridis 'Oxford Blue' — annual clary sage, single indigo-blue selection

4 reviews

Tall sturdy spikes topped with deep, velvety indigo-purple bracts — the longest-lasting blue in the cottage garden, exceptional fresh and dried.

£2.20

Free UK delivery on seed orders over £40

Dispatched from our Norfolk farm by Royal Mail, usually within one working day.

Your growing year

Sow, plant out and flowering months for this variety

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sow
Plant out
In flower
SowPlant outIn flower

At a glance

Height
40–60cm
Spread
35cm
Spacing
25cm
Position
Full sun; partial shade produces paler, less saturated bracts.
Colour
Purple
Seeds per packet
150
Soil
Lean to average soil without additional fertiliser
Grow guide How to grow Clary Sage Oxford Blue Read the full guide →

About this variety

The single-colour selection from the annual clary family, and the soloist to the mixed varieties' carnival. Spikes of 60 to 75cm topped with deep, almost violet indigo bracts that look as though they have been varnished.

The colour lasts because it is not petal pigment at all — it is held in the bracts, which is why it survives summer rain, hot sun and eventually the vase far better than a true flower would. Weeks of display from one flush.

There is nothing as useful as a saturated indigo for making warm-toned arrangements sing, and it dries exceptionally well provided you keep it out of direct sunlight, since UV degrades blue dried-flower pigments faster than any other colour. Pinch the growing tip at ten centimetres for more cutting stems.

RHS Plants for Pollinators

This plant has been assessed by the Royal Horticultural Society and recommended as especially beneficial to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Growing plants like this directly supports UK pollinator populations — something close to our hearts at Salle Moor Hall Farm, where we see the difference a cottage garden full of the right plants can make.

Learn more at RHS.org.uk →
  • 5 stars: 4 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
R
Rebecca Patrick
Amazing

Quality and packing of seeds is amazing. Always have great germination too.

B
Bridget Geoghegan
Clary Sage Oxford Blue Seeds

Beautifully packaged & illustrated. Will be planted next year and I’m confident they will germinate easily as Bishy Barnabee’s Cottage Garden Seeds are reliable.

G
Gloria Stearman
Clary seeds.

Looking forward to planting my seeds and seeing them grow.

G
Gloria Stearman
Clary seeds.

Looking forward to planting my seeds and seeing them grow.