Some here are around 3 ft. or a little taller but I can't explain why.

Tee,

The few times I grown 'Hot Lips', I didn't know it produced seeds. Good to know!

KAMasud said: Beautiful . Now could some one explain to me why Salvias available here are at most two feet while these appear to be quite taller? Marilyn have you got the camera at ground level looking up
Regards,
Arif.

No, I'm standing at a little distance taking the photos of the flowers.

Some of the Salvias are 3 ft., 4 ft. and 5 ft.

These Salvias aren't hardy for me in these containers, but I do have some Salvias that are hardy that are around 2 ft. that I have growing in the ground. I also have some Salvias that are hardy that are in the ground that are around 3 ft.

If the seeds are like 'Limelight', they are teeny tiny. Some of the places that offer seeds of 'Hot Lips' say it will overwinter to zone 6. But I don't know???

I guess I'd better go back and plant 'Hot Lips' in the ground instead of planting it into containers!

How many containers do you have? I know you have a lot.

My S. 'Hot Lips' went through 3 winters in a raised bed. I think they are somewhat short lived plants, and also need good drainage in areas that receive heavy rain in winter and spring.

My S. 'Pineapple Sage' became quite tall and bushy, well over 3 feet tall and wide. I just love that plant. So far I haven't had success with carrying it through winter. Way to wet here in winter and spring. I am going to try adding sand and grit to a raised bed at the far part of the yard on the other side of the creek to see if that will get it through winter.

Thanks for the input, Lynn. We sometimes have periods of heavy rains in the spring. I planted some of my salvias in a raised planter last year and they did well. I may think about adding a large raised bed for the salvias and some others.

Looking forward to seeing how it does for you Tee. It should do well for you.

Lots!

I counted the number of containers I had out last Summer, I'll have to think or go out when I can and count them. I have more in the garage (lots of 16", 14" and 12").

I've been using 24", 20" and 16" and I have 3 very large black pots that nurseries use for large trees. Size does matter when it comes to plants.

I even bought another 24" and a 20" pot that I didn't get around in 2012 that is waiting to be added to the bunch I use for 2013.

One year, when I was using smaller pots (12" and up), I had 70 pots outside! I had them up and down on the front steps, on the driveway, on the patio and on the front porch. That was the only year. I usually have the pots on the front porch, the patio, the driveway and a section in the backyard that has concrete pavers to set the pots on.

I have a 20" pot in a flowerbed to use for my 'Major Wheeler' Honeysuckle. I have a tall metal trellis leaning to the pot. I did it because I was concerned the rabbits would eat the honeysuckle plant to the ground and kill it.

That is a lot Marilyn

Beautiful, two feet and higher I have to find these. Another question, who goes around giving fantastic names to these plants.
After looking at those Salvias growing in rubble with negligible(only rain) water and so healthy, I am thinking of putting them down in Cactus mix with rubble(crushed stones) on top. That should keep them happy. Salvias in normal soil have only given me heartburn.
Reminds me of Karachi, zone 12, desert, negligible water and sandy. Got the best performance there.
Regards,
Arif.

Wow, Mariyn, and I thought I had a lot of containers!!

Arif, some plants can thrive under neglectful conditions, can't they.

I grow many more Agastaches than Salvias at this point in time, but that is always subject to change.

Tee some plants, as far as I am concerned a lot of plants thrive if left to their own devices.
Regards,
Arif.

Arif, seems quite possible that our native salvias from California, Texas, etc. may thrive under your arid conditions. Have you tried any of them?

Sherry, which ones do you recommend for dry conditions?

My favorite salvia:


which in this photo is over 7 ft. tall

Not sure what differences there may be in Arif's zone 9, but these are California natives that may do well there....

Salvia brandegeei
S. apiana
S. mellifera
S. clevelandii
S. spathacea
S. dorii
S. leucophylla

AND...good news.....High Country Gardens says it will still be availabe for mail orders......

Very lovely, Sue.

Nice list, Sherry. I didn't know that about HCG. Happy to hear it.

Another of my favorite Salvias is 'May Night'