Thought in ancient times to perpetuate good health, an Arab proverb asks, “How shall a man die with sage in his garden?” Our Salvias are di­­verse perennials, shrubs or subshrubs, many hailing from the Mediterranean, Mexico, South America and some of our western states. Reliable once established, and generally undaunted by pests, disease and drought, they combine an array of flowers and often aromatic foliage in many different sizes, shapes and hues.