Salvia

• Pitcher Sage or Prairie Sage (Salvia pitcheri, or azurea)
  Native to N. American prairies
  Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
  Wildlife: Hummingbird nectar; Deer resistant
  Habit: Tall growing (4-6′) in the wild, but can be kept much tidier & fuller (3′ X 3′) by pruning often, especially after long bloom period. Prefers full sun, will tolerate some partial shade.
  Bloom: Starts blooming in early-mid summer until frost. Bloom color is a brilliant periwinkle blue that blends well with many other colors in the perennial border. We often use this salvia w/ coral s. greggii & yellow bells or other yellow blooms.
  Foliage: Narrow gray-green leaves

• Bi Color Sage (Salvia sinaleoensis)
  Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
  Wildlife: Hummingbird nectar; Deer resistant
  Habit: Low growing (1’x1′); spreads by running rootstock, but not invasively; prune after heavy bloom, to shape & after frost. Prefers some afternoon shade, will tolerate full sun.
  Bloom: Brilliant blue flower spikes
  Foliage: in full sun foliage darkens, in shade it is greener thus the name bi color.
  Comments: Good for containers, excellent border plant mixed w/ Pink Scullcap

• Indigo Spires (Salvia ‘indigo spires’)
  Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
  Wildlife: Butterfly nectar (esp. for fall Monarch migration); Deer resistant
  Habit: Large perennial to 4’X3-4′; Prefers full sun, will tolerate some part shade; prune after heavy bloom and to maintain full shape; cut to 3-4′ after frost.
  Bloom: Indigo blue spikes begin in early summer & persist till frost.
  Foliage: Large leaf is lush looking.
  Comments: Nice alone as an accent or especially lovely mixed w/ antique roses Duchesse De Brabandt &/or Cramoisi Superieur.

• Mountain Sage (Salvia regala)
  Plant type: Deciduous shrub
  Wildlife: Very important hummingbird food source for the fall migration into Mexico through the Chisos Mtns. Fairly deer resistant in most cases.
  Habit: This plant can reach 6′ in the wild, but more likely to be only 4′ or so in the garden & easily pruned to a more manageable size throughout the growing season since bloom will not be until late summer. Pruning also keeps branches stronger for the weight of blooms to come.
  Bloom: Rather large orangey-red blooms late summer frost. Blooms remain close to the branch instead of long spikes of most salvias.
  Foliage: Small, glossy heart shaped leaves.

• Majestic Sage (Saliva guaranitica)
  Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
  Wildlife: Hummingbird nectar; Deer resistant
  Habit: Lush looking salvia due to large full leaf; will take full sun to part shade very adaptable. Can reach 5′ high, but will be fuller and bloom more if kept pruned to 3′ or so. Spreads by a running rootstock and can reach 4-5′ wide if allowed.
  Bloom: Beautiful large flowers on long spikes. Colors range from pale blue ‘Argentine skies’ to deep blue and even purple.
  Foliage: Large heart-shaped leaves make for a very lush looking plant. Very fragrant
  Comments: Variety ‘Black & Blue’ makes a wonderful accent w/ black calyx very striking and unusual.

• Bog Sage (Salvia uliginosa)
  Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
  Wildlife: hummingbird nectar; deer resistant.
  Habit: Wide range, but as name says, will tolerate very boggy conditions as well as drier. Prefers afternoon shade, at least part, but will tolerate full sun. Will reach 3-6’H X 3-4′ W. Spreads by running rootstock. Keep in check by pruning after heavy bloom.
  Bloom: sky blue & white blooms from early summer frost.
  Foliage: Thin arrow shaped leaves, very aromatic.
  Comments: Bright color for afternoon shade; very graceful when blowing in the wind.

• Salvia Darcyi
  Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
  Wildlife: Hummingbird nectar
  Habit: Mounding growth to 3X3. Prefers full sun, will tolerate part shade; trim after heavy bloom and to keep shape. Prune to 3-4′ after frost.
  Bloom: Lone spikes of coral-red flowers from summer til frost. This color red will blend with which ever red group it is planted with (ie; oranges or magentas)
  Foliage: Deltoid shaped, very fragrant; feels sticky due to small hairs.
  Comments: Nice shape looks soft in the perennial bed.

• Fushcia Sage (Salvia iodantha)
  Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
  Wildlife: Hummingbird nectar
  Habitat: 3X4 in garden, possibly larger. Sun to partial shade.
  Bloom: Magenta flowers in late fall.
  Foliage: Mainly grown for foliage with deep purple undertones.

• Big Red Sage (Salvia penstemonoides)
  TX native, blooms tall spikes, wine color; hummingbird; some pm shade

• Belize Sage (S. miniata)
  Plant type: Tender tropical
  Wildlife: Hummingbird nectar
  Habit: Due to tenderness best kept in containers; prefers pm shade & plenty of moisture; native to Belize, Mexico
  Bloom: deep red flower spikes
  Foliage: large glossy leaves
  Comments: Can be planted in the garden, but should be lifted in winter, or cuttings made for the next year.
  Containers do well in pm shade w/ other blooming perennials.