There is something extraordinary about blue flowers. This Salvia patens, the gentian sage, is very blue and very beautiful. It comes from Mexico and is therefore a little tender. There is no doubt in my mind that it is worth any amount of pampering to carry it safely through winter.
It also reminds me of my toes, blue since our boiler gave up the ghost yesterday morning. As we all know, I too am very tender. I wish I was in Mexico being pampered.
Off The Edge Gardening 
Look after those toes. You’ve only got a set of ten. You can always replace a Salvia patens, toes are more difficult.
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They are snuggled in some good thick socks!
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I’ve lost and replaced several Salvia patens–do look after your toes.
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It seems to be the way, perhaps they aren’t very long lived.
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Ah, but that shade of blue, so rare – it’s hard to resist.
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Impossible, we are doomed to failure! 🙂
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Not failure – just not perfection!
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Is it boiler break-down time? Ours is intermittent but at least will work with a nudge, hope yours is fixed soon and not too expensively. That blue is just gorgeous, I just wish I could make this one happy, I have also failed to get it through winter.
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He seems to think that he can fix it, just needs to get a part. I am not convinced though …… Hope yours rallies!
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I adore blue Salvias. My favourite is Salvia guaranitica ‘Blue Enigma’, the only tender perennial I grow. I thought Salvia patens was hardy, but I see that is not the case. Explains why one died on me!
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I’ve seen them called hardy too, I wonder if it is the wet that is the problem and not the cold and that is why it fools the RHS numbering system, they say H4 which is hardy down to -5 – -10!
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It could well be the wet that’s the issue. Also, the RHS numbering system is based on a Southern English climate, so not that representative of the conditions in the rest of the UK.
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I can’t reply to Julieanne’s post below so I’m doing it here. (It’s a how many levels config thing).
My plant of the year, this year, has been salvias. And now I read that what was sold as “hardy” isn’t. Last year’s “hardy” isn’t this year’s “hardy”. Anyone remember those foxgloves that T&M were promoting like buggery but which, a couple of winters later, aren’t hardy? So I’ve now bought a bulk buy pack of pots. deferred sowing plans for the greenhouse, and will dig up all those salvias and hope …….
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Good plan John, I am going to dig up some of the best salvias here and greenhouse them. Also have taken cuttings. The things we do for love!
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Someone is coming tomorrow to take a look at ours! What is going on in the water heating department? Mexico may be a good idea and you can enjoy that lovely blue salvia.
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How strange! Hope you get it sorted out. Perhaps we could meet in Mexico, just down the road from you. 🙂
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Such a glorious blue. I hope you get your boiler sorted before it turns really cold.
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Thanks 🙂
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If you are getting a group together for Mexico count me in. I can’t bear the cold. Good luck with the boiler.
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Your name is now on the list. It is becoming more likely, can’t be fixed until a week today. 😦
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If your toes are that colour, you should see a doctor. If they’re that shape, you should be hanging upside down in the attic. Age is affecting the eyesight: I misread part of the post and have been wondering why all the fuss about a small chicken. I have noticed, over time, that boilers only ever break down when you turn them on. If you turn yours off, it’ll probably be fine. 😉
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Thanks for the handy advice John! Ours is now turned off. 🙂
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Blue has always been, and will always be, my favorite flower color. But this one is truly spectacular!!
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Thank you, it is almost unreal, but not in a plastic way.
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