Mysty, Skyscraper Orange salvia deserve a garden spot

Those who follow my work know that I have a fondness for plants that support the pollinator population. When they’re also showstoppers, that’s a win-win for me.

If you’re looking for bold color and serious pollinator power, you’re going to love two plants that caught my eye on a recent visit to The Flower Bed Nursery in Lumberton.

First up is Mysty salvia.

This variety produces rich blue-purple blooms that truly stand out in the garden. The color is a deep shade that draws your attention when you walk past a flower bed.

What makes Mysty salvia especially useful in the landscape is its compact, well-branched growth habit. It stays neat and full, making it a great choice for borders, containers or mixed flower beds. 

Gardeners will also appreciate that it loves full sun and thrives in our summer heat. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant, which makes it a dependable performer during those long, hot stretches of weather.

If you enjoy watching wildlife in your garden as much as I do, you’ll appreciate this plant even more. Butterflies and hummingbirds absolutely love it, making it a wonderful addition to any pollinator-friendly landscape.

The next salvia that caught my eye was Skyscraper Orange salvia.

This plant grows tall and upright, adding strong vertical interest to the landscape as it lives up to its name. In flower beds where many plants spread outward, Skyscraper Orange rises above the crowd, adding a nice, architectural element.

While the height is nice, the real star feature is the brilliant orange color.

Skyscraper orange salvia is a bold, cheerful plant that is nearly impossible to miss. That vibrant orange pairs beautifully with cool colors like blue and purple, and it also looks fantastic alongside chartreuse or lime-colored foliage.

Like Mysty salvia, Skyscraper Orange is another sun-loving plant that thrives in Southern heat. It continues producing blooms throughout the summer, often still blooming well into fall. That means it provides months of color and plenty of nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies.

One of the things I enjoyed most about seeing these plants together at the nursery was how well they complement each other.

The cool, blue-purple tones of Mysty salvia contrast perfectly with the fiery orange blooms of Skyscraper Orange salvia. Planted together, they create a dynamic and eye-catching combination that adds color and structure to the garden.

If you’re looking to add long-lasting color, pollinator appeal and reliable garden performance, keep an eye out for these plants. They just might be the perfect pair to brighten up your landscape this season.