Many sages, especially the drought tolerant one, love clay soil but hate to have poor drainage. The solution typically for these types isn't nitrogen-rich potting soil (although some is no problem), but raised or sloping beds with good drainage and the clay mixed with fully-composted organic matter.

some links:

http://www.californiagardens.com/Lists/salvia_list.htm

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ecoph38.htm

http://www.plantanswers.com/12_mos_xeriscape_/oct.htm

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1153.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: drought tolerant sages

To get to FAQ click on ask the experts on this page and it will bring all the catagories , click on any of those and you will get FAQ For those.

I think the clay plus way way too much water (my whole yard was a puddle for weeks) did them in last year. I lost most of the drought tolerant plants I had bought. This year I added a couple bags of compost to the broken down mulch from last year in a partially raised bed and they seem to be thriving. I checked my tags and the one I couldn't remember was vista lavender. It hasn't stopped blooming since I got it!

I'll go check those links out now! Thanks!

I couldn't find the ask the experts but I'll keep looking! Thank you!

Dicot is right on. I have the same clay soil you do.Put some play sand or granite sand mix it with the clay. Raised beds are a must too
S. coccinea "Forest Fire" and S. Guarnitica Black & Blue
are great plants for Central Texas. Give Black and Blue
plenty of space it has underground tubers which go every-
where morning sun seems to be it preference even in Houston. Forest Fire you will need to let it seed out as
it is not a reliable perennial in zone 8(Sun or shade)very easy.
Which part of Texas are you located? There are other salvias
you can grow depending on what region you are located.

I'm a little north of Austin. I haven't tried sand at all, I wasn't sure how to incorporate it. I'm adding a lot of organic matter but I have pretty much been letting it sit on top and get worked in on its own.

I put the black and blue by the fence. Will it go under? I don't mind sharing it with the neighbor but I don't want it hurt if they mow it or weedwhack it.

At least the forest fire will be inexpensive to replace if the seed doesn't take. But if it doesn't I would probably replace it with something that is perennial here. I'm not sure how the colors will look when the bed is more grown. I have the vista lavender in front because it's a shorty then the forest fire behind it and the black and blue behind that so pinkish lavender, red, and dark blue.

They are on the southside of a north fence. I assumed it would be full sun but looking out now (9:45 am) it's shaded and it's shaded in the evening when I water. They seem ok so far at least. I know there is a lot of sun the rest of the day.

Your Black and Blue will go under the fence if you want
to contol it put some medal,concrete or rock edging in
the area you want it. The vista series of salvia is a
annual (temporary).If you want something more perennial
and not running let me know I'll give you some other options.

Go back to your original post at the top of this page and just above that in the green you will see ask the experts, click on it.