Shangri-La Is Found at Last in Salvia moorcroftiana x indica
Sangri-La sage is as close as humans have been able to come to reaching the legendary city of nirvana. With frilled, fuzzy foliage and a delicate fragrance when crushed, the evergreen basal rosettes of leaves create a soft cushion for the large bloom spikes. Towers of flowers arise from their pillow-like beds in late spring. The intricate patterns displayed in the individual flowers are a wondrous sight. As the profusion of blooms continues through the spring, bees, butterflies, moths and other hungry nectar seekers flock to this floral paradise to quench the thirst following a long winters fast.
However, not all good things last forever and the sense of tranquility will fade through the season if you don’t take care and deadhead the spent flower stalks of this plant. After the blooms have faded and the flower stems are cut back, the soft rosettes of foliage return for a peaceful rest. The summer fall and winter foliage collects energy just waiting for spring to come anew and transport you back to Shangri-La and nirvana once again, even if only for a few glorious weeks.
View the plant profile here.
Shangri-la sage
Salvia moorcroftiana ×indica
Perennial
Height: 2-3 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Blooms: Lavender, late spring through early summer
Hardiness: USDA zones 5-9
Culture: Adaptable
Deer resistant
Pairs Well With:
SPANISH GOLD® broom
KANNAH CREEK® buckwheat
Ruby Voodoo rose
Thanks to Mike Bone, Curator of Steppe Collections of Denver Botanic Gardens for this article
The large lavender flowers are a favorite of large bumblebees.
(The attached photo was taken June 8, 2024, during a Colorado Native Plant Society garden tour in the metro-Denver area.)