Another fantastic visit last season was to Cricket Hill Garden in Thomaston, Connecticut. The garden in May is an unforgettable experience. Peony breeders are also working on hybrids between herbaceous and tree peonies, which have incredible garden potential a few of these Itoh or intersectional hybrids can also be seen at Cricket Hill. Salvia 'Black and Blue' is the salvia for the border or cutting garden. It is 3 to 4 feet tall with violet petals and almost black sepals.
Flowers are in spikes that lengthen as they mature, twisting and turning.
This tender perennial needs pinching at first, and staking if exposed to wind, but it's worth the trouble. I have ever grown. There were 32 rose varieties in my old garden and 38 in my new one, so that's a serious compliment. I've grown 'Heritage' in both. Of course, last winter was very mild.