Salvia, Autumn Sage, Cherry Sage, Gregg's Sage, Texas Sage 'Playa Rosa'

I have become a salvia fanatic, especially since I had a ton of hummingbirds this summer thanks largely to all the salvias I've planted. ...Read More

Xera nursery had some of these in small containers for I think it was $4 each. Couldn't resist getting some.In general I prefer salvias with vivid colors, but I have discovered that if you have some deep colored ones side by side with pale ones like these, the contrast makes for a very attractive display. I planted them in late summer and they are growing well going into fall. They haven't gone through a winter yet so I can't judge their cold hardiness, but I think just about every salvia I've planted with "greggii" in its name has survived the winters just fine here. I am actually in zone 8b, so you would figure no problem as far as the cold hardiness. But I have found that salvias aren't necessarily quite as hardy as the climate ratings that nurseries assign to them. (Plus, sometimes different nurseries show different cold hardiness zones for the same variety.) I have had iffy hardiness from salvia microphyllas, and inadequate hardiness from Black and Blue as well as Indigo Spires salvia. But greggiis seem to do just fine, and there are a ton of greggii varieties.

Update: Here in July 2021 I find that Xera once again has Playa Rosas in small containers for $4/ea, which is a great price. I bought some to fill in holes in my garden. Having a salvia garden with red and purple and then these pink ones makes for a nice variety.