Zipping into our neighborhood's locally owned and operated convenience store last Friday afternoon, I couldn't help but notice that a new shipment of perennials had been offloaded that morning.

Row upon row of husky, glorious rudbeckias, coleus, penstemons, salvias and more filled the plant racks sitting conveniently by the front entrance.

Well, hardly sitting. Those plants were flying off the racks as savvy customers plopped the quart- and gallon-sized containers into shopping carts, hand-held baskets and, in one case, directly into the trunk of a large sedan.

All of the plants looked gorgeous, but I was especially taken by the salvia offerings. Three late-season cultivars, in vibrant shades of blue, purple and red, flaunted lush foliage and thick, sturdy stems. All were reasonably priced, which made the decision to bring several home virtually painless!

The salvia family numbers more than 900 species, including annuals and perennials. Some bloom early in the spring while others bloom over long periods that can extend all the way into fall and often until the first frost.

Most grow fairly quickly, all need good drainage and several are actually quite drought tolerant - ideal for our long, dry summers. Their long, fluted, tubular blooms are a favorite of hummingbirds, who appreciate their traditionally long period of bloom.

A member of the mint family, salvia - also known as sage - has leaves directly opposite one another on the stem. Unlike traditional mints such as spearmint or peppermint, salvias are primarily clumping plants and won't spread indiscriminately.

Equally appealing is the diversity of this plant family. Salvias can be short or tall, with gray, bluish, mid-green or dark green foliage that runs the gamut from large and fuzzy to petite and shiny. Some species sport very large, bold flowers while others are quietly refined.

All tolerate and even benefit from shaping, shearing and deadheading. They'll perform well without it, but the occasional use of hand clippers can encourage branching and promote more flowers.

Since these plants die back in the winter and often are a bit slow to return in spring, be sure to mark the location of your plants before November.

Our climate here in Western Oregon is ideal for growing healthy, long-lived salvias. Here are are a few to look for at your local nursery or online:

n Salvia greggii (autumn sage): This terrific group of Southwest natives is a surprisingly good fit here for our hot, dry modified Mediterranean summers. Hardy to zone 7 if given excellent drainage, this family includes a number of fabulous cultivars that bloom from late summer to the first frost.

The key to success here in Western Oregon is to delay cutting back the dead stems until early spring. This reduces winter freezing and the potential for damage to the plant's crown. And, once again, the need for good drainage cannot be overemphasized. The payoff, however, is well worth the effort.

Some Salvia greggii cultivars to consider include "Alba," (white blooms, 2 to 3 feet tall and wide); Desert Blaze, (evergreen, semi-erect sub-shrub, clear red blooms and variegated foliage; up to 2 feet tall by 20 inches wide); Diana, (12-18 inches tall and wide, glowing purple blossoms); Furman's Red, (evergreen, erect sub-shrub with fire-engine red blooms; very long blooming from summer until frost; 2 feet tall and wide); and Yellow Cloud,'(showy yellow blooms atop compact 2-foot tall and wide plants).

n Salvia x 'Maraschino' (Maraschino Bush Salvia): Another stunning 3-footer with cherry red flowers that start opening in early summer and continue through the first hard frost. A cross between Salvia microphylla and Salvia greggii, Maraschino prefers an enriched, well-drained soil and regular irrigation during hot, dry weather. Unlike most Salvia greggii varieties, 'Maraschino' needs afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as ours. One of the most cold hardy bush salvias.

n Salvia azurea (Prairie sage, New Mexico form): This clear blue form of the lovely Prairie sage comes from the folks at High Country Gardens (highcountrygardens.com). Plants are strong-stemmed, upright, and bloom for more than a month beginning in early fall. Three feet tall by 15 inches wide.

n Salvia guaranitica Black & Blue (Anise Scented Sage): This long-blooming selection sports stunning cobalt blue flowers on 3-foot wide and tall plants. The flowers start to open in July and continue until frost. Nicely dense and rarely needing support if grown in full sun.