About
Eranthemum pulchellum, the blue sage, is a lax evergreen shrub with shining, spear-shaped leaves and terminal, upright wands of deep-blue, tubular flowers produced through the winter months. A beautiful and unusual winter-flowering shrub for a heated greenhouse or frost-free conservatory.
About the genus
Eranthemum are evergreen perennials and shrubs with simple, opposite leaves and five-lobed, tubular flowers borne in terminal or axillary spikes or panicles, mainly in winter. Grown as ornamental plants in heated greenhouses and frost-free gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toHimalaya, W China, India
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright filtered light with shade from hot sun. Water moderately in growth applying a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter
PruningPruning group 8 and may need restrictive pruning under glass
PropagationPropagate by rooting softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. Bottom heat will be required
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free