This post is dedicated to one of my favorite perennials in the garden, Mystic Spires Blue Salvia, Salvia longispicata x farinacea. Why do I love this plant so?  Let me count the ways:

Mystic Spires Blue in full sun. photos by Janey Santos

First, Mystic Spires is easy to grow, fairly disease and pest free and blooms constantly from early summer to frost.  It's a plant I will always recommended to new gardeners because I know they will succeed.

Second, it adds to my garden in so many ways.  It's beautiful tall purple-blue spikes fit in perfectly in the middle to the back of the garden bed.  My favorite pairing is Mystic Spires Blue Salvia with Helen Von Stein Lambs Ear.  You can't go wrong with a spiky purple flower next to silvery blue foliage.  It also attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators all season long.

Third, it solves common garden issues such as a difficult lighting situation, or an area that can't be reached easily.  Mystic Spires Blue thrives in full sun all the way to light shade.  I've planted mine in both locations, both bloomed like crazy and both reliably came back year after year.  This plant also has dark purple calyxes, the stems that the blooms grow from.  This means when the blooms fade and fall off the plant, Mystic Spires Blue still looks beautiful.  No deadheading needed!

If you are familiar with Mystic's parent, Indigo Spires, and remember some flopping of the plant going on, no need to worry.  Mystic Spires Blue was bred from Indigo Spires to be more compact at 2-3 feet tall and wide, making it much less likely to flop during the season.

This spring, when at the garden center, keep an eye out for Mystic Spires Blue.  I've fallen in love with it, and I'm sure you will too!