They are the same color. However, Mystic Spires has a different form than Indigo Spires. Indigo is a far laxer, more sprawling plant which always needs staking. Mystic's form is like its other parent, farinacea, except bigger. Mine get about two to two and a half feet high and about eighteen inches wide. Also, the blooms of Mystic are like farinacea's in form. Indigo Spires blooms never seem to end. Mystic's do end, but retain their blue color even as they dry. I deadhead to keep them coming. I have had Mystic Spires for three years now and they are, hands down, my favorite salvia. They bloom early (already blooming here) and don't quit till frost. They never need staking, and bounce back very fast after cutting back. Although I always have a few that overwinter, I take cuttings in the late fall, just in case. They root easily. I overwinter them in my unheated basement under lights. Rarely lose even one.

Ralph, I did bring you the 'Phyllis Fancy'. It was a strong grower for me last year from a tiny little pot. I'm glad to hear it rooted for you even though I felt certain it would. Shari

I love Mystic Spires. I don't have a very large garden, so it is a great plant for me. I just planted two more in pots over the weekend, so now I probably have seven. Hummers love them!

Check out the following from San Marcos Growers. They've applied for a patent on Mystic Spires. Parentage: (S.longispicata and S. farinacea) http://www.sanmarcosgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3033 Salvia Mystic Spires Blue ['Balsalmisp'] PP18,054 (Compact Indigo Spires Sage) - An attractive compact perennial sage that has upright growth to 18 to 24 inches with dark gray-green leaves and purple blue flowers from spring through fall. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil and irrigate regularly to occasionally. Listed as hardy to USDA zone 7 (0-10 � F) This plant is a "dwarf form" of the venerable Salvia 'Indigo Spires', a hybrid between two large mexican sages, Salvia longispicata and S. farinacea that was discovered as a chance hybrid seedling at the Huntington Botanic Garden in the 1970's. Salvia Mystic Spires Blue, comes out of the Ball FloraPlant breeding program in Illinois and is an irradiation induced sport of 'Indigo Spires '. The irradiation occurred on May 20, 2003 and this cultivar was selected in August 2003 at a test facility in Arroyo Grande, Calif. This new cultivar is more compact because of shorter internodes and has smaller leaves than Salvia 'Indigo Spires'. It was originally registered for Plant Breeders Rights in Commonwealth countries and in the US Patent office as Salvia 'Balsalmisp' and received US Patent PP18,054 on September 18, 2007. The description above is based on our research of Salvia Mystic Spires Blue ['Balsalmisp'] PP18,054 and observations of it growing in our nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information about this plant, even if they disagree with what we have written. Here is a link that might be useful: San Marcos Growers