Although winter is getting ready to extend its icy grip over much of the country, it's never too early to start dreaming about and planning for next summer's garden! And Salvia 'Summer Jewel Pink', one of the 2012 All-America Selections (AAS) winners, is a great plant to include in those plans and dreams.

A sister to the earlier AAS winnner Salvia 'Summer Jewel Red', this soft pink cultivar of Salvia coccinea has the same compact size and early flowering habit. Growing no more than 20 inches high and about 16 inches wide, it works as well in containers as in the flower border. A prolific bloomer throughout the season, the flowers appear almost two weeks earlier than other varieties of pink salvia, in just 50 days from seed sowing.

Like all salvias, it does best full sun and in soils with good drainage. It's a great choice for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden.

For more information on Salvia 'Summer Jewel Pink' and other 2012 AAS winners, go to: AAS.