Salvia yunnanensis, S. koyamae, and a couple cultivars of S. greggii, so far, and then the annual S. coccinea are coming up now like gangbusters.

Joseph

Several greggii's and microphylla"s survived in my yard this year I think because we had snow that didn't melt so it protected them. Sarah

Thanks, I was beginning to think no one would have anything to say. I added a bunch of greggiis and microphyllas this year even though the greggiis from last year bit the dust, or was it mud. That just made me mad and willing to try harder. I'm planting every type I can lay my hands on.

ward mine came back in 2002.In 2003 and 2004 they didn't only one agasteche rupestris. But this year I think because of the snow protecting them from freeze and thaw I have a salvia greggii dark dancer,furmans red that are both back a marachino hybred microphylla-greggii and a greggii yucca do [peach colored ) plus two agasteche rupestris. I consider myself very lucky! Sarah

Sarah, what is your soil like. When I think Pennsylvania, I think clay. Perhaps it is just a sterotype?.

Ward You nailed it true Pennsylvania clay and fieldstone. I really think the reason they came back is because not only did the snow insulate them the ground stayed frozen most of the winter they don't like wet feet. I didn't do anything to the soil at all. I didn't cut it or anything I let the woody dead looking twigs stayput and that's where all the green growth is coming from most are pretty big too and in all sunny parts of my yard. I would try it leave it alone and plant in a dry spot. Good Luck! Sarah

That sounds like a good explanation. I've been much more careful in siting this year, most of them are in a sandy bed raised up about 6 inches. Why do I get the feeling there is alway an X factor with marginal plants? Why we plant two of something close together in the same conditions and one thrives while the other moves to some garden in the afterlife. I hope the ghosts enjoy them, because in the past 20 years I've done a lot of landscaping on the other side.