General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 7a -17.8 °C (0 °F) to -15 °C (5 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 10b
Plant Height: 24-48 inches
Plant Spread: 14-18 inches
Leaves: Fragrant
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Blue
Other: bluish calyx
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Uses: Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Birds
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Other info: Sterile hybrid. Produces no seed.
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Patent/Plant Breeders' Rights: PP18,054
Awards and Recognitions: Texas Superstar®
Parentage: Irradiation-induced sport of: Indigo Spires
Child plants: one child plant

Image
Trade name information:
Trade Name: Mystic Spires
Cultivar name: 'Balsalmisp'
Common names
  • Sage
  • Salvia
Also sold as:
  • Mystic Spires Blue

'Balsalmisp' was a featured
Plant of the Day for November 25, 2015.
Photo Gallery
Location: my Zone 7b garden in North Georgia Mountains
Date: 2023-10-01
Location:  
Date: 2009-07-14
Location: My garden in Albuquerque, NM Zone 7b
Date: 10.04.22
Photo by Sheridragonfly
Location: Garden fish garden 
Date: June 8 2020
Busy bee!
Location: My garden in Albuquerque, NM Zone 7b
Date: 06.28.22
Bud
Location: southeast alabama
Date: 2015-06-13
Mystic Spires
Location: Hyde Hall, Essex, UK.
Date: 2022-09-03
Location: Gardenfish garden 
Date: May 02 2020
I’m hoping the bees will like it
Location: my garden in Dawsonville, GA (zone 7b north Geogia mountains)
Date: 2022-06-14
Location: At a local nursery
Location: San Antonio, TX
Date: 2019-10-16
Location: my garden in Dawsonville, GA
Date: 2021-09-13

Date: 2009-09-01

Photo courtesy of Annie's Annuals and Perennials
Location: San Antonio Botanical Garden, San Antonio, Texas
Date: 2022-04-04
Location: Hyde Hall, Essex, UK.
Date: 2022-09-03

Date: 2020-09-22
Location: Lutz, FL
Date: 2015-01-25
Location: southeast alabama
Date: 2015-06-13
Plant seems to be about 3 foot with blooms and 2 foot wide when f
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: Jun 7, 2010 1:02 PM
At the end of our driveway among other containers
Location: SunZone 6a
Date: 2014-01-22
This plant was moved from the container and has performed beautif
Location: Coastal San Diego County 
Date: 2017-08-03
Location: Mobot, St L.
Date: 2017-08-09
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2006-10-03
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2006-10-03
First year growing it and I love it! Beautiful! Surrounded by sev
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2008-06-21
Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue' with Salvia 'Blue Hill' directly behi

Date: 2012-06-09
Location: Sun Zone 6a
Date: 2012-10-07
This is an October look.

photo credit: Michael Goodyear

Courtesy Robin's Salvias
  • Uploaded by vic
Location: KALAMA WA
  • Uploaded by Joy

Date: 2013-04-11

Date: 2012-07-02

Date: 2015-08-26

Date: 2015-08-26
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2006-10-03
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2006-10-03
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2008-06-21
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2008-06-21
Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue' with Salvia 'Blue Hill' directly behi
Location: Jacksonville, Fl.
Date: 2014-05-12
Location: Sun Zone 6a
Date: 2012-08-17
Location: KALAMA WA
  • Uploaded by Joy

Date: 2013-04-11
Location: Mobot, St L.
Date: 2017-08-09

Date: 2012-04-18

Date: 2013-04-11

Date: 2012-04-18
Location: Highland, Utah
Date: 2012-04-18
At Highland Gardens

Date: 2015-08-26

Date: 2012-06-09

Date: 2012-06-09
Location: Coastal San Diego County 
Date: 2017-04-16
Location: Coastal San Diego County 
Date: 2017-04-16
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by Danita (GA - Zone 7b) on Sep 30, 2011 4:17 AM concerning plant:
    This is a shorter mutation of 'Indigo Spires.' Like 'Indigo Spires', it is sterile due to an odd number of chromosomes and won't produce seed. Because of this, it is very floriferous. It's a very pretty plant that is enjoyed by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

    My Climate: USDA Zone 7b, AHS Heat Zone 7/8, Humid
  • Posted by LoriMT (Dawsonville, GA - Zone 8a) on Jun 14, 2022 12:29 PM concerning plant:
    Mystic Spires thrives in my zone 7b North Georgia Mountains garden. It has wintered over for 3 years in a row, with temps down to 12 degrees. It blooms continuously from June to October, with no deadheading. It mixes well with coleus for summer-long color.
  • Posted by Marilyn (Kentucky - Zone 6a) on Dec 28, 2011 2:02 AM concerning plant:
    I've grown 'Mystic Spires Blue' (also known as, 'Playin' The Blues') both in containers and in the ground. It's an annual for me where I live, so I plant it every year.

    As I look at one of the photos I've posted above and I think back to the previous growing seasons and photos I took of it that were in the ground and in mixed containers and it seems to me that 'Mystic Spires Blue' is happier planted in the ground with a little room to grow or in a container by itself that's big enough and doesn't have to compete for soil, space, water and nutrients with its container neighbors.

    The plants I had in the ground looked great, but if I know I don't have a spot, then I know it will still look good planted in a container!

    The photo I've posted above also is mulched with wood bark and chips that I've added to help keep the moisture in. I know I've planted it with those moisture crystals that are in most potting mixes and that helps during dry spells too.

    'Mystic Spires Blue' is like its bigger sibling, Salvia 'Indigo Spires', but is a lot smaller, more compact, and better suited for smaller gardens. I've planted Salvia 'Indigo Spires' before and had it in the ground and it does take a lot of space during the growing season.
  • Posted by ge1836 (Pittsford NY - Zone 6a) on Oct 7, 2012 7:04 AM concerning plant:
    It's the first year for this plant here. It is so beautiful.The deep indigo blue color just can't be believed. It really does bloom long into the season.

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