Salvia comes in a wide range of colors, sizes and forms. Some species are hardy, and others are grown as annuals in cold zones.
Start salvia seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Barely cover the seeds with soil. Full sun. Well-drained soil.
Salvia coccinea has bright red flowers all summer long, making it a perfect bedding annual. It's also nice in containers.
Salvia coccinea is one of the best flowers for hummingbirds . Also known as Hummingbird Sage, Texas Sage and Tropical Sage. Hardy in zones 8-11. Grow as an annual elsewhere.
Salvia farinacea is a popular bedding annual with tall spikes of deep blue flowers that bloom from late summer through fall. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Try it with other late-blooming annuals like cosmos and zinnia .
Salvia farinacea makes a good cut flower. Hardy in zones 8-10. Grow as an annual elsewhere. Also called Mealy Sage.
Salvia horminum 'Tricolor Mix' has violet-blue, rose-pink and white flowers. It blooms for a long time from late summer to fall. The leaves and flowers are edible, making it a nice addition to the herb garden.
Salvia horminum is an heirloom flower that works well in the cottage garden. It self-sows where it's happy. It makes a nice cut flower and dried flower.
Salvia azurea is a native prairie wildflower. It is the most striking blue flower in the garden in early fall. It blooms the first year from seed, so it can be grown as an annual. The azure-blue flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Salvia azurea is a drought-tolerant perennial. Also known as Salvia pitcheri and Pitcher Sage. Hardy in zones 5-9. Requires 3 weeks cold-moist stratification .
Salvia pratensis 'Twilight Serenade' has vibrant, deep violet-blue flowers in June, and it repeat blooms if deadheaded. It's a first-year flowering perennial .
Salvia 'Twilight Serenade' attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It makes a great cut flower . The wrinkly leaves are also interesting. It works well in the middle of the border with other June-blooming perennials. Hardy in zones 3-9.
Salvia pratensis 'Rose Rhapsody' blooms in June with loads of large flowers in shades of pink. It repeat blooms if deadheaded. Prized as a cut flower.
Salvia 'Rose Rhapsody' blooms the first year from seed if started early indoors. The coarse, wrinkled leaves are distinguishing. Highly recommended for the cottage garden . Deer resistant. Hardy in zones 3-9.
Salvia 'Violet Queen' blooms in early summer with numerous spikes of dark violet flowers on bushy plants. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies .
Salvia 'Violet Queen' goes with almost everything in the garden. It makes a nice companion plant for roses . It sometimes self sows, but not in excess. It is drought tolerant and easy to grow. Hardy perennial in zones 4-8.
Salvia 'Blue Queen' is a compact selection with deep violet-blue flowers in June and July. It repeat blooms in late summer if deadheaded. It is drought tolerant and deer resistant.
Salvia 'Blue Queen' blooms the first year from seed if started early indoors. Also known as Salvia nemerosa 'Blaukonigen'. Hardy perennial in zones 4-8.
Salvia 'Rose Queen' produces numerous spikes of rose-pink flowers. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
Salvia 'Rose Queen' is a first-year flowering perennial. Also known as Woodland Sage, Salvia x superba, and Salvia x sylvestris 'Rosakonigen' or 'Rosenwein'. Hardy in zones 4-8.
Salvia transsylvanica 'Blue Spires' blooms in early to midsummer with deep blue flowers on tall stems. It's one of the showiest salvias in the garden.
Salvia transsylvanica 'Blue Spires' is fairly drought tolerant. Cut down the spent stems to encourage repeat blooming. Shown here with California poppy . Also known as Romanian Sage. Deer resistant . Hardy perennial in zones 4-9.
Salvia greggii 'Furman's Red' blooms in early summer, and it repeats in autumn. The bright red flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds.
Salvia 'Furman's Red' is a 2005 Plant Select Winner. It is more cold hardy than other Salvia greggii varieties. It is also drought tolerant and deer resistant. Full sun to part shade. Hardy perennial in zones 6-10.
Salvia officinalis is a perennial herb that is one of the main ingredients in poultry seasoning. It's also beautiful in the flower garden.
The blue-green leaves have a pebbly texture, and the tall wands of lavender flowers appear in early summer, attracting hummingbirds. It's shown here with Geum 'Mrs. Bradshaw' . Hardy in zones 4-9.