Perovskia 'Blue Spire'

Perovskia 'Blue Spire' (syn. Salvia yangii 'Blue Spire')

C3 Pot

Plant Highlights: Tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers • Aromatic silver-grey foliage • Long flowering season • Attractive to bees and other pollinators • Ideal for sunny, well-drained gardens

Overview

Perovskia 'Blue Spire' (now botanically classified as Salvia yangii 'Blue Spire') is a deciduous shrub valued for its airy sprays of lavender-blue flowers and finely divided, aromatic silver-grey foliage. From mid-summer into autumn, the slender flower spikes create a soft, hazy effect that brings movement and colour to sunny borders.

Its upright, open habit pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses and late-flowering perennials, making it a favourite for prairie-style, Mediterranean-inspired and cottage gardens. Reaching approximately 1–1.5 m in height and 0.5–1 m in spread, it provides impressive vertical interest while remaining light and airy. Once established, it thrives in dry, sunny positions where many other flowering shrubs struggle.

Why We Love It

• Elegant lavender-blue flower spikes bloom over a long season.
• Aromatic silver-grey foliage provides colour even before flowering.
• A valuable nectar source for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.
• Drought tolerant once established, making it ideal for sunny gardens.
• Beautiful when combined with ornamental grasses and late-flowering perennials.

Plant Details

Growing Guide

Position

Plant in a sunny, open position where it receives plenty of direct sunlight. Good drainage is particularly important during wet Irish winters.

Watering

Water regularly during the first growing season while the plant establishes. Once established, water only during prolonged dry periods, as mature plants are drought tolerant.

Soil

Grow in well-drained soil and avoid heavy, waterlogged conditions. Overly fertile soils can encourage soft, floppy growth at the expense of flowering.

Hardiness and Winter Care

Fully hardy in Ireland and the UK when planted in free-draining soil. Avoid winter waterlogging, which is more likely to affect plants than cold temperatures.

Routine Care

Cut the previous year's stems back hard in early spring as new shoots begin to emerge. This encourages vigorous new growth and helps maintain a compact, floriferous plant.

Perfect For

• Sunny mixed borders.
• Gravel gardens.
• Prairie-style planting.
• Mediterranean-inspired gardens.
• Wildlife-friendly gardens.

Good to Know

The aromatic foliage releases a pleasant fragrance when brushed against or crushed. The airy flower stems create a soft, naturalistic effect that contrasts beautifully with bold-leaved shrubs and ornamental grasses.

Product Information

• Supplied in a C3 pot.
• Deciduous shrub with aromatic silver-grey foliage.
• Produces airy lavender-blue flower spikes from mid-summer into autumn.
• Excellent for sunny borders, gravel gardens and naturalistic planting.
• Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.