@FBTS With Kermit's (of Flowers By The Sea) permission....

I just clicked onto The Flowers By The Sea link (as I do alot) https://www.fbts.com/ and at the top of the page read this...

"With heavy hearts, we learned today Dr. Richard F. Dufresne, the "Sultan of Salvias", passed away in his North Carolina home. The Salvia world will miss Rich greatly."

Kermit had a blue hyperlink on the words Sultan of Salvias for one to click onto to read about Rich Dufresne and here's the direct link (I clicked it for everyone):

Kermit goes into detail about Rich's life and mentions some of his salvias that he sells.

https://www.fbts.com/sage-expe...

I'm so sorry to hear of Rich's passing. I didn't have the pleasure meeting him, but he had some great and beautiful salvias. Of the ones that FBTS sells ....

Cherry Chief Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii 'Cherry Chief')
Dark Dancer Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii 'Dark Dancer')
Raspberry Royale Sage (Salvia greggii x lemmonii 'Raspberry Royale')
Hidalgo Roseleaf Sage (Salvia involucrata var puberula 'Hidalgo')
Wild Watermelon Mountain Sage (Salvia microphylla 'Wild Watermelon')
Jame Orange Mountain Sage (Salvia regla 'Jame')
Cherry Red Mountain Sage (Salvia x 'Maraschino')

(Below are links to the database here, on our gardening website)

Autumn Sage (Salvia Navajo™ Bright Red)

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii 'Dark Dancer')

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii 'Raspberry Royale')

Rose Leaf Sage (Salvia involucrata 'Hidalgo')

Baby Sage (Salvia microphylla 'Wild Watermelon')

Orange Mountain Sage (Salvia regla 'Jame')

Sage (Salvia 'Maraschino')

I've grown and loved S. greggii 'Cherry Chief', S. greggii 'Dark Dancer', S. greggii x lemmonii 'Raspberry Royale', S. involucrata var puberula 'Hidalgo', S. microphylla 'Wild Watermelon' and S. x 'Maraschino'.

I can't think at the moment, of any other of Rich's introductions. He sure will be missed and missed in the salvia world.

Here's the link of Rich's website: http://www.worldofsalvias.com/

This is a sad time for the plant world. I also heard that David Austin also passed away this week.

I last spoke to Rich in August. He was still positive about his growing plans for next year, but his health was declining. I owe him greatly for his help in our early days with Salvias. He will be greatly missed. After all, how many can call themselves the Sultan of Salvias?

Oh, I'm heartbroken to hear this. I was just thinking and worrying about him a week or so ago because he hadn't posted anywhere in so long. I only met him in person once, but his years of helpful and educational posts in various garden forums made him feel like a friend and mentor. He helped to further fuel my love for this wonderful genus, a love which has remained unfaded for two decades. His advice, as well as the wonderful Salvia plants that I ordered from him, enriched my garden and my life.
Thank you for everything, Rich! You will be missed!