Make sure that they are seeds and not the gynobase (the foundation that the seeds develop on). When you pinch the calyx, you can always feel the latter. Seeds should be plump and at least dark brown, somewhat football shaped.

Ripe seed does not last very long on Salvias, falling out of the calyx usually within two days of fully ripening.

What I collected were the seeds, I'm sure of it. I've got lots of salvias. This one just seems to have a lot of conflicting information out there on the internet.

My present plant is a cutting of another that had self-seeded.In my limited experience, I'd say there's more chance of the seedlings coming true to type than being a cross with another species, but I suppose there are a lot of factors to take into account.But yes,you cangrow this one from seed.

I have to protect my Salvia elegans in my zone 8 garden it
will not make it through the winter.all I have is the standard elegans I am trying the culivar "Golden Delicous".
I would say Zone 9 no problem.
Art

Thanks Andy. Right now I have lots of salvia in bloom and the hummers are sampling them all. I'm assuming the seeds don't need cold stratification given their normal climate.

If you have to protect in Austin, there's little chance a Charlotte NC area plant will make it.

Thanks for the information. I'm still going to save and sow the seeds next spring. Cuttings will also be taken and rooted.

I am in zone 7a in New Jersey and some years Pineapple Sage has returned for me. Last spring I was given a couple of Tangerine (I think that is the name). Whether it is a cultivar or a hybrid I am not sure. It is much smaller than the standard but did bloom moderately all summer.

Where I live is technically Z7 or better but very wet. S elegans just occasionally does come through but much more often not. Cuttings are fine in a cold greenhouse, though (occasionally dipping below freezing, and they may burn, but do fine). It never makes seed here.