Brilliant cardinal red flowers begin in midsummer and peak in fall as this large, potentially hardy perennial explodes into flower. Plant this salvia in full sun and in average soil, and water it to get the root system established. This perennial is a hummingbird and butterfly magnet. 'Pascal' was discovered in 1988 at a 9,000-foot elevation in the Mexican Sierra Madre Oriental mountains by Yucca Do Nursery staff. It has proven to be winter hardy in Denver, Colorado, during the last five years. Horticulturist Heather Sherwood says the fragrance of the leaves is "light and slightly minty."

We are currently evaluating several species of tropical American salvias, which have proven to be useful as annuals that begin their bloom season in September, looking fresh until a hard frost.