It looks like Salvia gesneriiflora 'Tequila' to me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Salvia gesneriiflora 'Tequila'

Does the image need to be rotated 90 degrees clockwise? I'd like to see what the midstem foliage looks like before agreeing on its ID.

I am veering towards S. gesneriiflora 'Tequila' also. However the flowers should not be so pink, more scarlet. Could be that the light was not correct to get the exact colour. This really is a spectacular Salvia!

There are also forms of S. rubescens with blackish stems.

Rich, if you click on the image, it appears the right way up!

Thanks for that, Robin. I noticed the shadow on the foliage, indicating strong light, which throws off the color for me. S. gesneriflora `Tequila' looks about right, though I'd like something to indicate scale. I have no idea of what's in the background. and its textures throw me off.

Thanks all; Susan, Robin, and Rich. I cut this plant back every year and the stump is about 5-6 inches in dia. Back it grows to 10-12 feet every year. The bush behind is a Woolly Bush (AU) and is about 10 ft. Robin, the flowers are really a scarlet not pink at all. The dark flower spikes get about a foot or so long.