Can anyone suggest their favorite performers?

Thanks!
Shelley NW Georgia zone 7b

I have many favorites, some of my best performers are Wendy's and Ember's Wish (in pots). Grace Pink, Salvia Darcyi (Vermillion Bluffs) and the Heatwave Series Salvia's. I have had mixed results with the Elk Salvia's about half have done well and returned I may not have enough humidity for them. I am trying a few new varieties this year as well. I would include the Windwalker as a great performer but I have grown them two seasons and I can't get them to come back had to replace them last year, this year I am trying something else two years of zero return (3 plants each year) and I am moving on, I question their zone 5 hardiness. Ultra Violet did well for me as well and both plants have returned! Hope that helps!

I'm still thinking about what salvias to list here, as I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. I grow both the perennial and the annual salvias each year.

@Danita,

You're in zone 7b GA, the same as @sberz. I don't know what part of GA you're in, but Shelley is in NW GA. Maybe you could mention some to help out.

@utahxericman,

Great choices!

Absolutely Blue Ensign!
Best I ever have had and have now..

Totally upright..mine is in June 5 foot tall..
spreads and can pot for friends as gifts each spring...

Love it and have posted it on the site before

If anyone knows of one similar please tell us

I have never found a red tubular ...that stands upright
for zone 8b and morning sun to 2 pm sun
high humidity in our area and some weeks 92 to 100 days
during summer months..

I bought Cherry Queen but it is not the long blooming prolific bloomer
that Blue Ensign is...

If anyone ever knows of a upright red tubular for my zone and humidity
that can fit into my sheris healing flower bed let me know

I can not use any salvia that would be against a fence or building due to the size
has to be in this flower bed...thanks
South east alabama

From my experience here in the UK;

In the fully hardy group it is the small flowered shrubby species and cultivars. The real star performers are Nachtvlinder, Pink Blush and Blue Note.

Among the hardy except in a bad winter group then it has to be S.patens or Black and Blue.

In the tender group it is easily S.discolor which if kept a degree or two above freezing will bloom non-stop. Honorable mentions go to Amistad, Love and Wishes and S.oxyphora.

@Sheridragonfly. A red Salvia that works well for me is Vermillion Buffs and Red Velvet Mountain Sage. They get about 4 feet high and wide. They stand upright with no problems of leaning or breaking. They are blooming for me now and will do so all the way till a hard frost. They handle high heat 95 plus degrees the month of July and parts of June and August. The only thing I don't have here is the humidity. I am not sure how they would do with that. Here is a picture of them from last year.

utahxericman

thank you that is lovely red salvia and so upright is that an annual for zone 8?

I had wendys wish in a dry spot , away from wind and perfect for 2 years but it died this year
when we had 3 freeze nights in a row...got to 26 degrees to 30 those nights..
It is a beautiful salvia as I see it mentioned on this thread...

so tell me is your beautiful salvia perennial here zone 8
and where can I buy it?
thanks sheridragonfly

@Sheridragonfly

Flowers By The Sea carries it. http://www.fbts.com/salvia-dar...

(Common name) Vermilion Bluffs® Mexican Sage

This Salvia darcyi cultivar is Zone 5 hardy - where the winters are dry.

Sheri

Those are pretty! Did you buy the original plant or from cuttings? I'm very interested in trying these, as we prob have similar conditions

Larry

I know this is an old post but I had to chime in. For me my longest blooming is Salvia Amistad, as well as the overall healthiest and best performer. I have yet to see it out of bloom, in fact it is always covered in blooms. It is also very healthy, and the hummingbirds love it the most!

@carlysuko,

I agree about Amistad. I've grown it every year, since it was introduced and I love it. It is a wonderful saliva to grow and I wouldn't be without it. I've at least one or two of Amistad plants in my yard, even if I have to get new plants every year. Gorgeous purple flowers!