Marilyn, Salvia melissodora definitely makes the cut. I first saw this plant several years ago at the Antique Rose Emporium. I was at the Fall Festival there sometime around 2003 the first weekend of November and I was stunned!!! It was quite large, had been growing there a few years and was beautifully blooming and covered with pollinators, plus there was a fragrance. When I inquired about it, no one really seemed to know much about it, but finally some one said they thought it was a salvia. I knew it was a salvia because of the foliage but which one? Turns out Betsy Klepsch--sorry if I miss the spelling of the last name--had done a program for the Fall Festival in 1999 and of course, she brought along plants to sell. Unfortunately, I missed going that year because we were making our move over here to East Texas at that time. I have never forgotten about it, and when I saw it listed by FBTS, I knew that would be first on the list. I think I will also order S. microphylla "Flower Child" for I have a small area to fill and I think this would do it. I must choose a burgundy type to replace the one we lost this year, there are a number to choose from, and I do want a blue one or two. Decisions, decisions!!!! One thing, most must be shorter. I would love some of the big ones, but I am going small first to see how they do here.
