Xylem and Phloem Garden Blog: Flower and Vegetable Gardening News, Tips, Ideas and Inspiration for the Texas Gardener

Little did I know that one plant could attract so much wildlife to my garden. I've raved about Salvia 'Indigo Spires' before, but my observations of the plant over the past month have certainly confirmed my beliefs that this plant is a MUST for any gardener in search of a garden workhorse. Not only does it bloom again and again from spring until frost, it is drought-tolerant, requires no staking if pruned correctly, and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and beneficial creatures like bug-munching lizards and preying mantis.

Find more photos and a few tips for growing Saliva "Indigo Spires' in your sustainable garden after the jump:

- Like most salvias, 'Indigo Spires' performs best in full sun and soil with good drainage. I recently moved one of mine to a sunnier, drier spot after it became leggy and floppy in it's semi-shady spot.

- More pruning, more blooming. Don't be shy about cutting this guy back. It can reach nearly five feet in height; consistent dead-heading throughout spring and summer and then trimming it back by one-third in late summer will ensure a tidy, happy plant with near-constant blooms. When dead-heading and cutting back, make cuts just above a leaf joint with emerging buds. This drives the plant's energy into the blossoms, and results in a fuller plant.

- Give it room! Not only does 'Indigo Spires' grow five feet tall, it will grow five feet wide as well. Give it some extra space when planting, or be prepared to prune it back heavily during the growing season.