An extreme close up of Kew Blue salpiglossis bloom on a white background.
Trio of Kew Blue Salpiglossis blooms on a white background.
Kew Blue Salpiglossis close-up showing color details.
Salpiglossis - Kew Blue blooms on marble slabs
Salpiglossis - Kew Blue in black vase
An extreme close up of Kew Blue salpiglossis bloom on a white background.
Trio of Kew Blue Salpiglossis blooms on a white background.
Kew Blue Salpiglossis close-up showing color details.
Salpiglossis - Kew Blue blooms on marble slabs
Salpiglossis - Kew Blue in black vase

Salpiglossis Seeds,
Kew Blue

4.67 ReviewsSKU: #FL275
Price
Regular price $3.00
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Min. 100 seeds

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Description

Intense deep blue, almost black, blooms resemble a dark night. Flecks of pollen splash across the petals like stars in the sky. An excellent focal plant, it plays so beautifully when planted with white blooms like moonflower. Try in mixed plantings or containers. This rare painted tongue is deeply dramatic, sure to draw attention all summer long. Plants are 2 to 2.5 feet tall.

Growing Tips: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, gently firming soil over the tiny seeds. Set transplants out after frost. Plant in full sun/filtered shade. Thrives in late spring or cool-summer conditions. Deadhead regularly.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Salpiglossis sinuata
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
14–30
Days to Maturity
100–120
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
8–12 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–75°F
Frost Hardy
No

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Start Kew Blue indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct seed outdoors once frost danger has passed. The seed is tiny: surface sow it, then cover with a thin layer of soil or a piece of cardboard until it has just germinated, because salpiglossis needs darkness to sprout. Germination takes 14 to 21 days at 70 to 75 F. Set transplants out only after the last frost, spacing them 8 to 12 inches apart, and allow 100 to 120 days from sowing to bloom.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds germinate in 14-21 days.
  • Surface sow seeds but cover either with a layer of soil or cardboard until just germinated, as the small seeds need darkness in order to germinate.
  • Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost or direct seed outdoors after last frost.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 70-75 F.

How to Grow

  • Prefers full sun and mild summer weather; they cannot handle extreme heat and humidity.
  • A fairly drought-tolerant plant; do not over water.
  • Space plants 9-12 inches apart.
  • Provide rich, well-drained soil.
  • Deadhead to encourage continued blooming.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • A fairly pest-free plant, but sometimes bothered by aphids.
  • Treat aphids with organic insecticidal soap.

How to Save Seeds

  • Seeds are quite small and contained within a capsule.
  • Harvest capsules when brown and dry, before the capsules shatter.

FAQ

Can Kew Blue be grown in a container?

Yes. Plants stand 2 to 2.5 feet tall and are recommended for mixed plantings and containers. Space them 8 to 12 inches apart in rich, well-drained soil, and keep that soil evenly moist but never waterlogged, since salpiglossis performs best in cool conditions and suffers in hot, dry spells.

What plants show off these dark blue blooms best?

It makes an excellent focal plant and plays beautifully against white blooms such as moonflower. The near-black petals are flecked with pollen like stars across a night sky.

How do I keep it flowering all summer?

Deadhead regularly to encourage continued blooming, and give it full sun to filtered shade. It thrives in late spring or cool-summer conditions and cannot handle extreme heat and humidity.

Customer reviews

4.6 / 5 7 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Velvety deep blue: Intense velvet purple-blue, like stained glass in the sun.

  • Long bloom season: Blooms all summer and keeps going for months.

  • Good in containers: Does well in pots, best mixed in with other flowers.

  • Heads up: Slow to get going; stems are fragile and sticky to handle.

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