Meadow sage is one of those tried and true perennials, with little to say against it and lots of pluses. Drought tolerant once established in the garden, hardy down to -30 degrees, deer- and rabbit-resistant, attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, fragrant leaves, and of course, beautiful violet blue flower stalks from late spring into early fall. Deadheading spent blooms will keep 'Swifty Violet Blue' salvia flowering into the fall, before it dies down in the cold. This variety forms a compact upright mound of matte green foliage, eight to 12 inches tall, and up to two feet wide, making it an excellent choice for sunny borders, mass plantings, and container planters.