Thanks Kermit for sharing your wonderful article!

Thanks Marilyn and Kermit. I think I'll try to find some Salvia Guaranitica (?) seeds since the article says that they are perennial to zone 6.

The hardiness of S. guaranitica clones varies a great deal. Some are pretty tender - others regularly survive colder winters. The "best" clones (Van Remsen, Purple Majesty, Argentine Skies, Sapphire Blue, Blue Ensign, etc.) do not in my experience set seed regularly, nor do the seeds seem to be particularly viable. One is probably better off starting with a plant from one of the superior varieties. Here is a link to an older article from us on this species:

http://www.fbts.com/everything...

Have fun!

Thanks for the info FTBS (Kermit?)

I need you guys who have experience with Blackcurrant Sage (Salvia x jamensis 'Hot Lips') to help me out please.
Blackcurrant Sage (Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips')

Does this take the extreme heat & is it as drought tolerant as the other salvias?

Thanks for your advice.

Yes, Hot Lips grows in vacant lots in Central & Northern California. It was originally from far southern Mexico as well, and can take the heat.

Thanks!

Ann, I had an extra 'Hot Lips' growing in a 3 gallon black nursery pot, sitting on a cement slab porch, in full western-exposure sun, in Atlanta, GA (aka "Hotlanta" ) and it happily bloomed all summer as long as I watered it a of couple times a week. So, it is tough! Properly planted in the ground, it wouldn't need that much watering, of course.

In fun news, I just picked up some new Salvias at the Plantapalooza today in Athens, GA. I got Salvia 'San Carlos Festival', Salvia farinacea 'Augusta Duelberg', and Salvia leucantha 'Midnight' at the UGA Trial Gardens. Also in the family, I got the new day-neutral Plectranthus called 'Brazilian Purple' and a "Pink Surprise Bush" aka Orthosiphon labiatus (along with some other goodies.)

Then I came home to find some new seedlings of Salvia atrocyanea, Salvia oppositiflora, Cuphea cyanea var. hirtella and others popping up! Great Day!

Thank you Danita for that info.!! Yep, I know about Hotlanta & if it can survive the conditions you describe it's one tough little plant for sure.

Nice score at the Plantapalooza!

I know its early but I am obsessing now over the Salvia Mystic Blue Spires I have had for 3years this year.
Year 1 it was in a container.I transplanted it the next spring and I did well.
I know its only early dry April but examination doesnt show any growth.
Question: Do salvias generly have a short life? I am in z6a

I sure will miss this view if its a gonner.

Well, it's only supposed to be perennial to Zone 7. Hope it comes back for you; it's very pretty!

Hmmmmm no wonder .I have just been lucky.
Can anyone suggest another variety that will live in Zone 6.

Jo Ann - May Night is very dependable for me... tough as nails! Also Sensation Rose, but that's not a purple/blue.

I will check Sensation Rose.I have MayNight next to the croaked Mystic Spires.I am obcessive about color combos so need to check the iris and lilies that grow near.

Jo Ann, one possibility for you is Salvia transylvanica. I think it's one of the prettiest of the really cold-hardy species.

I just hate it.
I LOVE both and will use them.The Trans is so close to the Mystic and I like the Rose and have space for some.
The original collage was beautiful with the iris until I realized they didnt bloom at the same time.
Lilies are just wild colores with both,maybe the pink can go in another garden with pink lilies.

Jo Ann

Did your Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue' survive one or two Winters? You're the same zone I am and they never survive the Winters here, since they're not hardy to zone 6a (in ground and/or in a container).

Great pics! Add them to the database if you haven't already.

These are all hardy to zone 6a and I grow them and/or have grown them.....

Salvia sylvestris 'Rhapsody In Blue' Meadow Sage (Salvia x sylvestris 'Rhapsody in Blue')

Salvia 'Wild Thing' Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii 'Wild Thing')

Salvia greggii 'Raspberry Delight' Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii 'Raspberry Delight')

Salvia greggii 'Black Cherry' Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii 'Black Cherry')

Salvia 'Blue Hill' Violet Sage (Salvia 'Blauhugel')

Salvia sylvestris 'Caradonna' Sage (Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna')

Salvia 'Maraschino' Sage (Salvia 'Maraschino')

Salvia 'Ultra Violet' Sage (Salvia 'Ultra Violet')

Salvia sylvestris 'Snow Hill'

Salvia azurea 'Nekan' Blue Sage (Salvia azurea 'Nekan')

Salvia greggii 'Furman's Red' Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii 'Furman's Red')

Salvia 'Eveline' Sage (Salvia 'Eveline')

Take a look at these databases

Marilyn: I believe I got lucky with the second winter because it was a freaky mild one.