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Herbaceous Perennial

Salvia 'Indigo Spires'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

sage 'Indigo Spires'

A woody-based, herbaceous perennial, up to 1.3m high, with aromatic, ovate green leaves and tall spikes of indigo-blue flowers from summer to autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Purple Green
Autumn Blue Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but very well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold, drying winds; in frost-free areas in winter, protect from excessive wet, while in frost-prone areas protect plants with biodegradable fleece, move plants under cover, or take cuttings to provide next year's plants - if kept in a heated greenhouse overwinter it will remain evergreen

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, by basal or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer, or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to capsid bug, leafhoppers, slugs and snails; under glass, may be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews and Verticillium wilt; under glass, may be affected by foot and root rots

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