SALVIA. Sage. Worldwide. This is a huge and diverse group of mint allies, grown both for ornament and for herbal qualities. Those listed below are undemanding perennials and shrubs with usually rough-textured, aromatic leaves. Some form broad rosettes of basal leaves; others have branched, leafy stems. Usually the leaves are paired along the stems. Irregular 2-lipped flowers are borne in dense heads, whorls or spikes above the foliage. They come in nearly every floral shade, including near-black. Culture and hardiness vary widely, though most prefer a sunny spot with well drained soil. Many, particularly natives of California and the Southwest, are drought tolerant.

azurea var. grandiflora (S. azurea ssp. pitcheri var. grandiflora). An erect, slender stemmed perennial up to 5’ tall, with narrow, grey-hairy leaves. It blooms mostly in late summer, carrying dozens of ½" blossoms in a narrow spike at each shoot tip. The flowers are colored pale to rather dark, true blue. This strain is particularly floriferous, with deep flower color. Reputedly hardy to 0^oF. or less.