The single-colour selection from the annual clary family, and the soloist to the mixed varieties' carnival. Spikes of 60 to 75cm topped with deep, almost violet indigo bracts that look as though they have been varnished.
The colour lasts because it is not petal pigment at all — it is held in the bracts, which is why it survives summer rain, hot sun and eventually the vase far better than a true flower would. Weeks of display from one flush.
There is nothing as useful as a saturated indigo for making warm-toned arrangements sing, and it dries exceptionally well provided you keep it out of direct sunlight, since UV degrades blue dried-flower pigments faster than any other colour. Pinch the growing tip at ten centimetres for more cutting stems.
