Hi Becky, I had never heard of salvias native to Eastern Europe, so I googled them. It was very educational. I found there are lots of differnt varieties and even Monrovia states that Salvia nemerosa is native to Europe. Unfortunately, the main reason I wanted to try different Salvias was because they are attractive to hummingbirds. One Hummingbird site that I came across, states that the salvias that are native to the Americas are very attractive to hummers but that those native to Europe are useless in that regard. That's too bad. I will look around some more and see if I can come up with any more info. I saw a photo of one that looked very much like the tubular flowers of the other salvias. Thanks for thinking of me. :-) pm2

Ginny, whatever are you talking about? This forum is for the discussion of heirloom plants and ornamentals certainly do get discussed here on occasion when folks choose to do so. I've seen anything from bulbs to hollyhocks to dianthus being discussed. I'm waiting to hear back on the questions I asked, then I'll continue the conversation if littlepockets chooses to do so. Salvias happen to be an interest of mine, so I may very well be able to help littlepockets narrow it down. If not, I'll then refer them to the Salvia forum. Please keep in mind that just because you may not personally have an answer to a particular question doesn't mean that someone else that reads here won't.

Penny: I actually am hoping to get something interesting. I have several B&Bs around the yard and they came back from the previous year. My largest one was shrub size. It was right next to my salvia elegans and also near the salvia coccinea Lady in Red, so I am hoping to get a "new" plant. I harvested quite a few seeds but who knows if they were ripe enough to germinate or if they are fertile. I plan to try with a new group of 20 soon. The ones that didn't germinate from the first group have moved outside with some of my other salvia "slowpokes." I will be surprised to see anything grow in that container, but if any of them need a cold cycle, they are getting it. Becky

Hello from the Albany 'ghost'! This has been my first time posting for a LONG time, it seems. Will have to check the threads for what I missed. Penny, I was not the source of your salvia azurea (as far as I can remember). I had to check the plant out actually as I did have seeeds for a salvia patens 'gentian blue'--thought maybe it went under different names. I also have LOTS of salvias. I went to check the seeds of my salvia patens to see what they looked like... and indeed the These seeds are the size and shape of grape seeds. So the seeds you collected are what you thought to be, no doubt. I found several sites for salvia azurea. Here is one. It should be hardy in your area-unlike my salvia patens (which looks very much like yours but much shorter. Anyway, I hope this helps. By the way, your agastache apricot sprite is still blooming (has been blooming all summer!) and is doing great. Thank you. How did your hyacinth bean vine do? Mine was the best ever--must have loved the heat. With this hot, dry summer some of my traditional plants just vegetated, others thrived (agastaches, penstemons, morning glories, etc). Interesting summer, somewhat disappointing, though. Happy seed collecting, Penny, and all. Am going to try to catch up with my e-mails, Shimla, Kareen, Jean, adkmountaingirl..., I promise.. Anne-Marie