I grow S. semiatrata in amended loam mixed with the native decomposed sandstone, and don't add lime to the soil (it's alkaline to begin with). Last year it hit 6ft in height and bloomed over a long season.

It's definitely important to know to know your soil alkalinity to begin with. Western soils are generally alkaline, and I suspect that purchased soils for raised beds or containers are probably neutral (though a check is in order) and lime could provide additional alkalinity.

Salvia darcyi and Salvia dolomitica are two others I know that appreciate lime treatment if grown in non-alkaline soils. S. dolomitica grows natively on limestone-based soils.

"Cultivar" is short for "CULTIvated VARiety", or a plant cloned from one that appeared under cultivated conditions. Normally they have some difference from the species, such as bloom color, robustness, leaf shape, height, or other characteristic that distinguishes it from the straight species. Some cultivars come true from seed, while others won't and require cuttings to reproduce.

Broadly speaking, a species is a taxinomical grouping of plants with the same characteristics and can interbreed with fertile offspring. For each plant species, there is generally a "type species" which is the plant on which the naming was based and associated with a certain location.

David

Just to illustrate David's thorough explanation......

for example.....
Salvia greggii
"greggii" is the species of Salvia

S. greggii 'Furman's Red'
"Furman's Red" is the cultivar of S. greggii, and in this instance related to color.