Tough-to-grow sites in your garden don’t have to be lackluster! Salvia handles drought, poor soils, and intense heat with ease (and looks good doing it). Not only are they durable, but they’re packed full of vibrant colors, fragrance, and pollinator-attracting power that will bring your garden to life. Unique flower spikes emerge in late spring or early summer, covered in small tubular flowers that are loaded with nectar and pollen. And while pollinators are drawn to the flowers, the fragrant foliage tends to drive deer and rabbits away. Salvia is truly a worry-free addition to the garden, which is why it is commonly found in landscapes all over the US.

Many gardeners find August to be a relatively boring month in the garden. High temperatures and drought cause flowers and foliage to quickly fade. Some plants even stop producing flowers altogether until temperatures cool down. Salvia still manages to shine throughout August, and with some extra deadheading, will even rebloom while everything else slows down. Every gardener should have a few (or more) salvias, which is why we’re highlighting it as our August plant of the month.