Rich:
Looks like more variability in the gene pool. I have
one microphylla that forms a large colony via runners.
But Have not seen any other microphylla's do that.
Even cuttings from this plant will not form underground runners all the time. I have noticed S.darcyi in sand will run but in a rocky situation no runners not even a hint.
That was my surprise w/Silke's Dream and her seedlings. Salvias what a adaptable & diverse group of plants!
Art

"I have noticed S.darcyi in sand will run but in a rocky situation no runners not even a hint."

I think this might be true of stolonifera as well. Because of the tubers, I suspect it has adapted to rocky soil as well. In such soils, it probably doesn't need to form stolons, and some mechanism prevents it.

This year, my plants are a heckuva lot more vital than last year. I still have three of four robust S. lineata stock plants, showing new root growth each week. The fourth was shocked and was cut back, but is still alive. The small ones are tricky, like last year.

I'm hoping that we just had a concentrated winter, with the rest being normal or warmer than before.