If you’re looking for plants that are easy to grow, bloom nonstop and attract a flurry of pollinators, let me introduce you to two standout salvias: Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink.

These vibrant, long-blooming beauties not only add stunning color to the garden but also provide essential nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

Rockin’ Deep Purple is an absolute showstopper with bold, velvety, deep purple blooms. The tubular flowers emerge from nearly black calyxes, creating a striking contrast that intensifies their rich color. Arranged in a whorled pattern along tall, upright spikes, the blooms add a dramatic architectural element to the garden.

This salvia reaches 2 to 3 feet in height and commands attention, whether planted in garden beds or containers.

Unplugged Pink offers a softer yet equally captivating presence.

Its delicate pink, tubular flowers bloom profusely on sturdy, upright spikes, standing out beautifully against the backdrop of deep-green foliage. They emerge from dark calyxes, which accentuate their soft pink hue.

Beyond their beauty, these blossoms serve as an irresistible nectar source for pollinators.

The foliage adds to the plant’s appeal, with lance-shaped, slightly serrated leaves that release a pleasant fragrance when you brush against them. At a slightly more compact height than Rockin’ Deep Purple, this variety fits well in both garden beds and containers.

Both of these salvias are heat- and drought-tolerant, making them excellent choices for warm climates. They thrive in full sun, needing at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day to produce their best blooms.      

During extreme heat or dry spells, give them an occasional deep watering to keep them looking their best. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to give them a strong start. I advise supplementing this with a liquid bloom booster every few weeks during peak flowering periods.

While these salvias are self-cleaning and don’t require deadheading to continue blooming, I like to trim back spent flowers occasionally to encourage fresh growth. A light midsummer pruning helps maintain their bushy, compact shape.

Most people in the South grow Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink as annuals. However, with protection, these resilient plants can sometimes survive a mild winter.

When it comes to companion planting, they pair beautifully with plants that enhance their rich colors and attract even more pollinators.

For a striking contrast, I recommend planting them alongside yellow or orange blooms like lantana, coreopsis or Rudbeckia, often called black-eyed Susan. The salvias’ upright form pairs well with mounded plants such as Blue My Mind evolvulus, which has a low-growing, trailing habit and bright blue flowers.

To add texture and movement to the garden, ornamental grasses like muhly grass make an excellent backdrop for these salvias. The ornamental grasses sway in the breeze and complement the salvias’ vertical spikes.

For a more cottage-style look, I recommend mixing them with verbena, zinnias and gauras, which create a natural, free-flowing display.

Give Rockin’ Deep Purple and Unplugged Pink a try in your outdoor space this year. These beautiful, low-maintenance plants are guaranteed to bring joy -- both to you and the pollinators that visit.