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All sages have square stems and whorls of two-lipped flowers, either distinctly spaced along flower stalks or so tightly crowded that they look like one dense spike; some species have branched inflorescences. Flower colors range from white and yellow through salmon and pink to scarlet and pure red, from pale lavender to true blue and darkest purple. A few sages have fragrant blossoms. Many have aromatic foliage. Sages attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies.

'Bee's Bliss'

Drought-tolerant hybrid between S. leucophylla and S. sonomensis. Grows 1– 1 1/2 ft. tall and spreads 4–6 ft. wide, with narrow, soft-looking, gray-green leaves. Whorled spikes of lavender-blue flowers are held above the foliage from spring into summer. Good on slopes, spilling over rock wall. Little to moderate water; avoid overhead irrigation, which encourages powdery mildew.

'Indigo Spires'

Can build up to a sprawling 6–7 ft. by 10 ft. but is easily kept to 3–4 ft. high, 2–3 ft. wide with support and selective pruning. Soft, silky, oval to oblong leaves (to 6 in. long near base of plant, shorter higher up) have a grayish sheen above, are white and woolly beneath. Narrow, twisted spikes of closely spaced, Í-in., violet-blue flowers can reach 3 ft. or longer. Blooms from early summer to frost (almost all year in mildest climates). Indigo calyxes are colorful long after blossoms fall. Excellent cut flowers. Top growth damaged by frost.

'Purple Majesty'

To 3 ft. tall, 4 ft.wide. Hybrid of Salvia guaranitica, with leaves of a yellower green; brilliant royal purple flowers with violet-black calyxes.Blooms from summer until frost in colder climates, nearly all year in mild-winter regions (where it is evergreen).