Shangri-La Sage
Salvia moorcroftiana x indica
Shangri-La Sage (Salvia moorcroftiana x indica) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 30–48 in tall and 24–36 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Huge silver-felted Himalayan sage with tall purple-and-cream flower spikes.
Plant Select®low to medium water30–48 in tall and 24–36 in wideXeric / water-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: peganum from Small Dole, England, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 2: peganum from Small Dole, England, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 30–48 in tall and 24–36 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~25–36 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- purple, white
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Shangri-La Sage good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Shangri-La Sage is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Shangri-La Sage get?
- It matures to about 30–48 in tall and 24–36 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Shangri-La Sage?
- Space Shangri-La Sage about 25 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 36 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Shangri-La Sage hardy on the Front Range?
- Shangri-La Sage is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Shangri-La Sage need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Shangri-La Sage native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Shangri-La Sage deer-resistant?
- Shangri-La Sage is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Shangri-La Sage a good firewise plant near the house?
- Shangri-La Sage is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Shangri-La Sage bloom?
- Shangri-La Sage blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
