Salvia 'Indigo Spires'
Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’ is a vigorous hybrid sage with long, twisting indigo spikes. It stands out for height and a dramatic, arching flower display from summer to frost. It performs best in full sun and well‑drained soils with regular deadheading. Plants can become large in warm summers and may lean without periodic shearing. The hybrid is a chance cross of mealycup sage and long‑spiked sage discovered at The Huntington in California. It is best suited to warm regions or as an annual elsewhere.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Hybrid sage (Salvia longispicata × S. farinacea)
- Height × spread: 3-5 ft × 3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m × 0.9-1.5 m)
- Bloom window: summer to frost
- Color & flower form: indigo‑blue whorled flowers on long, arching spikes
- Fragrance: 1 trace
- USDA hardiness: 8-10; grown as annual in colder zones
- Breeder / Year / Origin: John MacGregor, 1979, USA (California)
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Taller and more sprawling than compact blue salvias.
- Distinctive twisting spikes give a looser, informal look.
- Blooms steadily in heat once established.
Strengths
- Long flowering season with regular deadheading.
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Heat tolerant in full sun.
- Good presence at the back of mixed borders.
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun; allow room for spread.
- Soil: well‑drained; avoid consistently wet sites.
- Water: moderate; deep watering encourages sturdy growth.
- Feeding: modest; too much nitrogen increases flopping.
- Grooming: deadhead regularly; shear by one‑third in midsummer if lanky.
- Overwintering: take cuttings in late summer where not hardy.
Watch‑outs
- Can flop or sprawl without occasional shearing or staking.
- Not reliably hardy; mulch heavily or take cuttings.
- May grow very large in rich soil.
Best uses (tags)
back of border; pollinators; large containers; summer color
Provenance note
A chance hybrid found at The Huntington; selected by John MacGregor and introduced in 1979.
References
- NC State Extension – Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’
- RHS – Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’ profile
- Pacific Horticulture – Huntington introductions (includes ‘Indigo Spires’)
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
We are a small independent group of flower lovers who research and review each guide using trusted horticultural and educational sources. Learn more about us