Another tidbit I failed to mention about Mexican sage in the northern reaches of its winter hardiness is to plant in early in teh growing season so that it can have as much time to establish itself beyond that container rootball before its first winter. This is particularly true with heavy clay soil since container peat media and mixtures thereof do not readily "mesh" with the compact, fine particles of clay in the planting hole as nicely as a loam or amended sand.

These are reportedly winter-hardy only to zone 8. So would be considered an annual in the mid-Atlantic region. Come to think of it, I got mine at a nursery known for stocking unusual plants, both native and exotic. Alexandria looks like it's in 7b and perhaps that is a somewhat protected location. 20 years is too long a time to say they've just been lucky! I've been growing this plant for a few years now in a pot so I can overwinter it in my small greenhouse. I cut it back severely, place in a cool shady place and water sparingly until late winter, when I bring it out into more light and resume watering/feeding. Always have a nice shrub for summer and blooms for autumn. You're right, the bees and butterflies love it, and the blooms are wonderful this time of year. (But don't forget Japanese anemone, toad lily, Sheffield daisy, Montauk daisy and many roses. Hydrangea blooms are lovely in their antique shades from chartreuse through pinks, mauves to deep purple and burgundy. Some of the berried plants [winterberry holly, wintergreen, roses with prominent hips] are showing good color, too.) It's still at peak bloom here, with a low of 35 expected tonight :-( I should take a division in spring and try overwintering that outside next winter.

The common varieties are mainstream in the California nursery trade. Any good nursery should have them. If you have problems message me privately.

Pity that I am in Australia lol, I have the purple kind everywhere. If you try ebay they may list it, I see that seeds are listed of the purple variety if sowing seeds are your interest, I am sure that someone in the whole of the U.S.A. has got it. Good Luck!!!! Cheers Annette