This one may be a form - or the same - as S. pratensis, or at least closely related to it. So far it has been a pretty tough survivor here.

John R. in Austin

Thanks for your help, John. Of course- now that I posted- I found some more info!
I googled it & found this picture:
http://www.asianflora.com/Lamiaceae/Salvia-prattii.htm

& this illustration:
http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=3304&flora_id=2

But what actually helps me out is the Rock Garden database:
http://www.kadel.cz/flora/c/kvCard.asp?Id=11908

From that it looks like it should be hardy. HIMALAYA: sc.China, Qinghai
Cold winters, right?

I only got the database info by googling the variety: Hemsl-not sure if that's what I've got but at least this info is in English so I can understand a bit of it.
I can't wait to see this one flower!

Thanks again for the reply.

Rose

I think that the name Hemsl is the authors name, Hemsley. It is necessary to include the author's name with the Latin binomial for accuracy. There are two Salvia dolichanthas. The most recently described one (from Texas) was changes to S. whitehousei, after the author.

Salvia prattii is a close relative of S. hians and S. dolichantha. All are from China and the Himalayas and have huge tubular flowers that can permit a bumblebee to enter. just like the large-flowered American Penstemons.

I've sent a copy of the Harvard Herbarium sheet to Dan Hinckley at Heronswood. He is the source of some of the new Chinese Salvias over the last few years. Tony Avent is about to go to northern Burma and Thailand near China, and he knows about Salvias.

Thanks so much for explaining that, Rich. It sounds like a great Salvia. I hope to see it bloom next year. I love the large flowered Penstemons. A very exciting one right now is "Firebird". Its blooms are enormous!

If you look at the tiny flowers of Salvia 'Hot Lips' in the backround, you can get an idea of the size. They look great together (in a half whiskey barrel), but the Penstemon steals the show!

Rose

This is too funny. Do a Google Image search of S. pratti now & see my Penstemon 'Firebird'!I guess we can't expect computer programs to be collectors like we are!
Rose