'Indigo Spires' salvia is a chance garden hybrid, first discovered in the Huntington Botanical Gardens, San Marino, California. It is believed to have originated as a cross between Salvia longispicata and mealycup sage ( Salvia farinacea ), but the actual parentage has never been established through genetic analysis. This semi-woody perennial is believed to be sterile. ‘Indigo Spires’ salvia likes full sun and humus-rich, moist soil, whereupon it can grow 4 feet tall and equally wide. Pinching and pruning can keep the plant compact and within bounds. Deadheading is necessary. This cultivar is easily propagated from stem cuttings. This hybrid blooms from early summer until frost. The violet-blue flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It is not reliably winter hardy, so heavy mulching during winter is advised, as well as starting cuttings indoors as backup plants. Grow ‘Indigo Spires’ in a large container or in the beds or borders of a butterfly, pollinator, or children’s garden. It would not be out of place in a cottage garden or sensory garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 'Indigo Spires' generally has no serious insect or disease problems. It is susceptible to downy mildew, powdery mildew, and damping-off. Well-drained soil and good air circulation are required. More information on Salvia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.