Ignition Purple James Sage

Ignition Purple James Sage (Salvia x jamensis 'Ignition Purple') is a compact, free flowering shrubby perennial of about 60cm high and 60cm wide. Vibrant, electric purple flowers stand on dark, almost black stems through the warmer months, and the plant takes heat, drought and humidity in its stride. It is a naturally occurring Mexican mountain hybrid, selected for its colour.

Why you'll love it

• Electric purple flowers. Vibrant purple blooms on dark, almost black stems give a high contrast look that stands out in any border.
• Tough through heat, drought and humidity. It thrives through hot, dry and humid weather, which makes it a dependable choice for tricky summers.
• Colour through the warmer months. Flowers appear across the warmer months, and a clip at the end of summer often earns a bonus blooming in autumn.
• Good for pollinators. Bees and butterflies come for the flowers, so the plant adds life as well as colour.
• Compact and bushy. At 60cm by 60cm it fits most borders and pots, and a prune each spring keeps the flower stems bushy.

Where it works best

Cottage gardens and borders. Plant 60cm apart in a border for a dense drift of purple that fills out within a season or two. It looks good with silver foliage, yellow daisies and white flowers.

Wildlife and pollinator gardens. A bright, nectar rich plant that supports bees and butterflies through the warm months.

Pots and fast colour. A large pot or garden gap gets quick colour, as it grows fast and flowers freely once the weather warms.

Growing Ignition Purple James Sage in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, in the garden or in pots. It handles heat and humidity, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Its mountain parentage suggests good cold tolerance and it should come through frost, but mulch the roots through the first winter in harsh districts.

Soil. Any good, light, well drained soil suits it, in beds or pots.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. After that, water in prolonged dry spells. Feed in spring with a slow release fertiliser, with an extra boost of seaweed solution in the summer heat.

Pruning. Clip over after flowering to encourage fresh growth and perhaps a repeat of flowering. Cut mature plants hard back by about half in early spring as new growth begins, for the bushiest flower stems.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Ignition Purple James Sage as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are economical for a long border, while the potted packs give a fuller drift in the first season. Expect a small plant that grows quickly once the weather warms.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More salvias for the garden
• Drought tolerant plants for dry gardens
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants
• How to create a cottage garden in Australia

Common questions

Is it frost hardy?

It comes from Mexican mountains, so its cold tolerance should be good, but treat that as a likelihood rather than a promise. In a harsh climate, mulch the roots in winter and trial one plant before planting a whole border.

When should I cut it back?

Clip over after flowering, and cut mature plants hard back by about half in early spring as new growth starts. A clip at the end of summer often earns a bonus flush in autumn.

Does it cope with humid summers?

Yes. It thrives through heat, drought and humidity, so a humid summer is not a problem. Still, give it free draining soil, because salvias dislike sitting in wet ground.