Relentless Gardener

Salvia plants from the Plant Select Program are a great addition to the summer garden. There are several different ones to add to your garden. Salvia greggii 'Furman's Red', Salvia 'Ultra Violet' PP21,411, Salvia pachyphylla, Salvia darcyi x S. microphylla 'PWIN03S' and Salvia reptans 'P016S'.

Salvia greggii ‘Furman’s Red’ grows in zones 5b-10 and has moderate to xeric water needs. It does well in clay, loam, or sandy soil and grows best in sun to part shade. In the spring prune dead stems from last season. This plant blooms from June through October.

Salvia 'Ultra Violet' PP21,411 grows in zones 5-9 and has moderate to dry water needs. It does well in lean loam, clay loam or rocky soils and grows best in full sun to part shade. It grows 18- 24 inches tall by 18 to 24 inches wide. Pinch the plant early to create a shorter and fuller plant. This plant blooms in summer through fall.

Salvia pachyphylla, Mojave Sage, grows in zones five through10 and has moderate to xeric water needs. It does well in loam or sandy soil and grows best in full sun. It grows 18 to 24 inches tall by 24 to 30 inches wide. It blooms from June to November with smoky mauve-purple blooms and has aromatic foliage.

Salvia darcyi x S. microphylla 'PWIN03S', Windwalker Royal Red Salvia, grows in zones five through nine and has moderate to xeric water needs. It does well in clay, loam, or sandy soil and grows best in the sun. It grows 18-48 inches tall x 36 inches wide. It blooms from June through October with blood-red flowers.

Salvia reptans 'P016S', Autumn Sapphire, grows in zones five through 10 and as dry to xeric water needs. It does well in clay, loam or sandy soils and grows best in full sun to part shade. It grows to 18 to 24 inches tall x 18 to 24 inches wide. It blooms in the fall. Its flowers are blue. It is best to shear it to the ground in the spring and get rid of all old growth.

Linda Langelo is a Colorado State University Extension horticulture specialist, member of Garden Communicators International and regular contributor to MarthaStewart.com gardening articles. She also produces The Relentless Gardener Podcast. She is a guest blogger for AARP Colorado and AARP Maryland.