The more compact version is probably 'Mystic Spires'. For 'Indigo Spires', I've had mine planted where it can sprawl into a pathway or over the top of some other pretty robust plants (like S. 'Hot Lips'). It can still be a little annoying, but my whole garden is kind of messy that way so I don't bother about it too much. You could always cut back the bloom spikes when they get too long to try and keep it bushier.

Thanks, Karen. In her book 'The New Book of Salvias', Betsy Clebsch says that S.'Indigo Spires' is "a spontaneous garden hybrid" found in Huntington Botanical Garden near plants of s. longispicata and s. farinacea. Do you know the origin of 'Mystic Spires'? They appear nearly identical except for the latter's smaller plant size. S. Indigo Spires is sterile - is Mystic Spires sterile also?

Mystic Spires comes out of BallFlora (Illinois) and is an irradiation-induced sport of Indigo Spires. It should be sterile.

I grew Mystic Spires this past summer and didn't care for it nearly as much as Indigo Spires. It was a hard year though, so I'll probably give it one more chance.

I don't see any comparison to the Indigo Spires and the Mystic Spires (although I know it is a spore of the other). The Indigo Spires is such a grand plant. I do find if I cut it back in early spring as it first comes up, it will stay busier and shorter. Mystic it too much like other salvias where Indigo really makes a statement. I enjoyed both and actually got carried away with the mystic plants in my garden. Nice near a patio where the indigo is too too big.