Indigo Spires Sage
Salvia farinacea x longispicata "Indigo Spires"
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Salvia 'Indigo Spires' is a big, free-flowering hybrid sage grown for the long, tapering wands of violet-blue bloom it throws from early summer straight through to frost. Each spike packs small, rich violet flowers tightly in whorls above dark, near-black calyces, and the spikes lengthen and curve as the season goes, so a settled clump reads as a haze of deep blue-purple for months on end. Few perennials give so much color for so long a run.
The plant has a tidy origin story for so exuberant a thing. 'Indigo Spires' turned up as a chance seedling at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in California, growing near its two presumed parents, the mealycup sage Salvia farinacea and the Mexican Salvia longispicata, and was selected by the horticulturist John MacGregor and introduced in 1979. The hybrid is thought to be sterile, which is part of why the bloom runs so long, since the plant pours energy into flowers rather than seed.
Vigorous and semi-woody, 'Indigo Spires' builds a large, sprawling clump of three to five feet, sometimes flopping under its own weight, which is easily turned to advantage by letting the plant lean through sturdier neighbors or by a shear or two in early summer for a denser frame. The aromatic foliage is passed over by deer, and the long violet spikes are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds from summer into fall.
Give Salvia 'Indigo Spires' a hot, sunny, well-drained spot with room to spread, in a large border, a pollinator planting, or a big container, and pair it with other sun lovers such as ornamental grasses, agastache, and lantana. Water through dry spells, cut the plant back in late winter, and, in zone 8 and warmer, expect it to return reliably from the root each spring; farther north it makes a superb long-blooming annual.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–11
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained
- Mature size
- Height 3–5 Feet · Spread 3–4 Feet
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Seasonality
- Dies back, depends on zone
Long tapering spikes of small rich violet-blue flowers over near-black calyces, from early summer to frost.
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.