@GDJCB
Since you say "I'm in the central semi-desert area of the state" (didn't know WA had a semi-desert area before).....
High Country Gardens offers a lot of different plants (Agastaches, Salvias and others) that are drought tolerant, that you might want to check into, as well as, FBTS.com
http://www.highcountrygardens....
http://www.highcountrygardens....
Check out all the Agastaches (Hummingbird Mint) that HCG grows and sells.
http://www.highcountrygardens....
I've been ordering from HCG, since spring 2005 and they have some of their own introductions.
One I've been growing in the ground, since then is their Salvia 'Raspberry Delight' (zone 6)
http://www.highcountrygardens.... and
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-x-g...
Salvia Ultra Violet (zone 6) is another HCG intro
http://www.highcountrygardens.... and
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-lyc...
Salvia pachyphylla Blue Flame (zone 5) is another HCG intro that you could grow because of your conditions.
http://www.highcountrygardens.... and
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-pac...
Salvia greggii 'Black Cherry' (zone6) is another HCG intro. You can get it at Flowers By The Sea, since HCG doesn't offer right now.
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-gre...
Salvia greggii Furman's Red (zone 6)
http://www.highcountrygardens.... and
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-gre...
Salvia greggii Cold Hardy Pink (zone 5/6)
http://www.highcountrygardens.... and
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-gre...
Salvia greggii 'Wild Thing' (zone 6)
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-gre...
Salvia Maraschino (zone 6)
http://www.highcountrygardens.... and
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-x-m...
Salvia reptans (zone 5)
http://www.highcountrygardens.... and
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-rep...
Salvia arizonica Deep Blue (zone 5/6) HCG intro
http://www.highcountrygardens.... and
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-ari...
Salvia penstemonoides (zone 6) HCG intro
http://www.highcountrygardens....
Salvia 'Lady in Red' (coccinea)
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-coc...
Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph'
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-coc...
Salvia coccinea 'Snow Nymph'
http://www.fbts.com/salvia-coc...
Besides what was mention in the previous posts and what I've mentioned here, that will get you started. Hope I've been some help.