Kathi mdgd and rhizo 1, thank you both for trying to help! I am probably one of the few without a digital camera or a phone cam. I totally agree that my description is probably not very clear, especially since I am a newbie and am not probably using the correct terminology. Today, it looks like the plant may have died. So, I've put a new post asking for suggestions of what to plant with my brown gardening thumb.

The link you supplied doesn't work. The tiny flies are fungus maggots and fungus gnats. These are in the garden soil and can also infect indoor plants. They are tiny flies that like to congregate around the plants. They lay eggs and these grow into tiny maggots that feed on the roots of the plants. The cycle repeats. The webs are probably spider mites. Neem oil can kill the spider mites, as well as some of the fungus gnats. Bt is used to kill the fungus maggots in soil. Also, I like using yellow sticky taps layed horizonally on the edges of the pots. The gnats land on these and stick there. You can also use these sticky traps to see if there are bugs present as they will show up in 24 hours or less. The more bugs you see the worst the plants are infected. If these are planted in the garden, you will have to apply something like benefical nematodes that get watered into the soil. They go after specific bugs in soil, so choose the right kind of nematodes. Some nematodes are also for controlling various grubs. The dill, chives, and parsley usually don't get bug infestations. Ground pepper will not help much to control the gnats.

Sounds like you have some scale on that plant. If that is what is there the usual means of control is an oil spray, a Superior Oil spray while the plant is growing and a dormant oil spray when the plant is dormant. Here is a link that might be useful: Scales and mealybugs

Thanks to everyone! Dicot, the photos were very helpful, (and beautiful!) but going by the leaves, mine are narrower and more pointed like a Lance. And Rich, I don't think it's mealybugs because there is NO movement and NO eggs etc. (Whew!) Westelle's suggestion stirred me into scouring every picture I could find of the plant, and in a photo on Rosewoman's (?) site I saw a close up of the stems on several of her Salvias and there I got my MAIN RELIEF: they have that same dusty character. (Notice I say 'DUSTY', now!). Also, the leaf growth pattern (circular) around the base is similar to mine which are not as broad as hers. Now my remaining questions are.... ,you got it! The perrenial PRUNING dilemma. I'm also wondering if I have overwatered them. I recently renewed the bed with lots of compost, relocated the Salvias in the same bed, and added plenty of perlite to increase drainage. Then, I watered like crazy. You guys are beautiful. Please don't leave me? Truly, Popny