Lucky, lucky YOU! I saw this stunning plant in full flower at a friend's house and was so very happy when I found one for my own garden with a bud on it. But then a snail or something managed to chew halfway through the stem! AUGH! as Charlie Brown would say. So no flower this year, I'm afraid. I did make a cutting of that stem, didn't cut off the bud - had no heart to do such a thing and also I was hoping it still might flower AND root at the same time. Seems as if it has rooted as the 17 inch cutting is definitely more upright but the bud hasn't grown at all. I'm still waiting to say WOW! for this one in my own garden.
Cait

I love this salvia too . The only problem I have is it's late bloom time here like salvia mexicana and elegans. Here's a picture I took last October. Sarah

Here is a link that might be useful: salvia madrensis

This salvia is pretty dependable for me too. If the frost doesn't come too soon I get seeds from it too.

Man, I wish I could grow that here. The past couple of years Longwood Gardens has put out some huge displays of this salvia during their mum festival in November. Totally stunning. I came this close to growing one this year in a large pot that could put in the back room, but with all the other half-hardy plants needing space, what I lack is the room. Something will have to give way next year I think, what a winner.

I get very good flowers here too, and they stay around just enough to make a very nice combination with the first flowers of S.gesneraeflora (green calyx).
This year I am growing Redneckgirl too, it seems to be doing very good as well, can't wait to see if it's going to flower earlier as they say it will.
Dariot Jr