Plant in full sun with occasional to little supplemental irrigation. Good in most soils but avoid wet clay situations. This plant has proven to be evergreen in our climate but is deciduous and root hardy to 0 F elsewhere. Tip prune early in the season, deadhead spent flowers and cut to the ground in early winter to maintain a neat looking plant. This plant is attractive to hummingbirds but is reported to apparently not appeal to rabbits. It is larger and looser than typical Salvia farinacea Blue Bedder type cultivars that are used mostly for annual color.

Salvia farinacea is native to Texas and New Mexico where it is found on plains and low hills in limestone soils from 3500-6000 feet. This selection was discovered by Greg Starr or Starr Nursery in Tucson and was a joint introduction with Mountain States Wholesale Nursery in Phoenix. The name 'Texas Violet' is a registered Arizona trademark (#41921) owned by Mountain States Nursery. The common name Mealy Sage comes from the felted hairs on the calyx. We first saw this beautiful plant growing at Native Sons Nursery in Arroyo Grande, CA and grew it from 2011 to 2013. 

The information about Salvia farinacea 'Texas Violet' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.