Thanks very much, Sherry! I've added those links to my "Salvia reference doc".
Here are my favorite salvia links:
Richard's Website A World of Salvia:
http://www.worldofsalvias.com/...
mamajack describes Richard F. Dufresnes' placard offer & upcoming Salvia book, also a spreadsheet, co-op, hardiness and growing info on some Salvia varieties, and more salvia links:
http://cubits.org/notfortheser......
>> It sounds like the ones that have survived for you are some of the ones most likely to.
I think that foir the last few years, most of my Salvia failures are failures to germinate, or "early death" in a propagation tray. After I improve my techniques for Step One, THEN the survivors will tend to reflect which varieties do like my climate and can stand my soil.
I may even discover that some of my seed packets are "stale" or not very viable. I've read that salvia seed is very short-lived, like one year. What do you think? I have a nice variety of seeds from generous traders, especially in last year's Hoig Wild Seed Swap. I store in sealed jars with dessicant and have been considering moving the Saliva & Delphinium jar into my fridge.
I'll keep trying to start a tray or two of Salvia varieties each year, and let "natural selection" decide which ones bec ome permanent residents in my garden.
(I was SALIVATING at some huge "Salvias" in the Oregon desert over Labor Day, then was told "those are lavender". Oh, well! They need even better-draining soil, especially in the Pacific NorthWet.)