Appearance

• Purple and red are the most common colors of salvia, but the plant can be found in nearly every color of the rainbow: dark blue, light blue, purple-blue, white, pink, orange and yellow. There are even bicolor salvia, with petals that are blue and white or scarlet and white or grayish green with chartreuse borders. Salvias have square, four-sided stems and flowers that are tubular in shape. Leaves can be smooth or fuzzy, depending on the species.
  
  

Size

• Most salvias grow rapidly and bloom for a long period of time. Gardeners should be able to find the right sized plant to suit their needs, from low, small border salvia to large, leafy garden centerpieces. For example, purple sage, which grows to about 3 feet tall, is a good choice for bordering a flower garden. Forsythia salvia can grow as tall as 10 feet and as wide as 5 feet.
  
  

Fragrance

• Common garden sage is the salvia that will remind many people of the aroma of delicious stuffing served at Thanksgiving dinner. Salvia also features some unusual fragrances. Some salvia species smell like fruits. Pineapple sage smells like pineapple, while fruit sage smells like a blend of tropical delights. The essential oils of clary sage are used in manufacturing perfume. Salvia is a beneficial addition to a flower garden because its fragrance is off-putting to deer and other garden nibblers. Hummingbirds and butterflies, however, find salvia delightful.
  
  

Climate

• Most salvias prefer warm, dry climates. They like plenty of sun -- at least six full hours daily. Some salvias, such as Victoria blue, will grow well in partial shade. Salvias prefer soil that is well-drained. Salvias will not produce any new growth if the soil is too wet. Wet soil can also cause roots to rot. Most salvias do not grow well in colder climates. May night is a hardy, drought-tolerant cultivar that is particularly resistant to pests and disease. Blue salvia is also drought-resistant and one of the easiest species to grow.