Botanical Name: Salvia hybrid ‘Wendy’s Wish’

Common Name: Wendy’s Wish Salvia

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 9–11 (Grown as an Annual in Colder Climates)

Size: 36–48" Tall × 24–36" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Vigorous, Bushy, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Adapts to Average Garden Conditions

Water Needs: Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Frost

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Nitrogen

Features: Intense Hot Pink Tubular Flowers, Continuous Bloom, Heat & Humidity Tolerant, Exceptional Hummingbird Attraction

Uses: Pollinator Gardens, Landscape Beds, Large Containers, Back-of-Border Plantings

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Permitted

See our Salvia Plant Guide for more in depth care details on Salvia.

More About Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’

Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’ is renowned for its extraordinarily vivid hot pink flowers and unmatched bloom longevity, flowering continuously from late spring until frost. The tubular blooms are held above lush green foliage on a tall, bushy plant that creates strong vertical interest and vibrant color impact throughout the growing season. Unlike many salvias that bloom in waves, ‘Wendy’s Wish’ maintains a near-constant floral display, making it one of the most reliable long-season performers for warm climates. Its ability to handle heat, humidity, and intense sun has earned it a reputation as a must-have salvia for serious pollinator gardens.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Wendy’s Wish’ has been one of the longest-blooming salvias we grow, often outperforming both annual and perennial companions deep into late summer and fall. The plant maintains a full, bushy habit without excessive pruning and continues flowering even during extended heat spells. We especially value its hummingbird attraction. Few plants draw as much consistent hummingbird activity, making ‘Wendy’s Wish’ an outstanding choice for wildlife-focused landscapes and high-visibility garden areas.

Wendy’s Wish vs. Other Salvia Varieties

Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’ is best known for insane bloom volume and hummingbird traffic, with hot-pink flowers that just don’t quit in warm weather. Unlike the Rockin’® Series, it has a softer, more natural habit and tends to feel a little more romantic than uniform. As a tender perennial (often grown as an annual), it aligns pretty closely with Hot Lips. However, its bloom color is less novelty and more solid than Hot Lips. Color-wise it’s the boldest pure pink in this list, and at roughly 36–48" tall, it’s taller than most other Salvias by a noticeable margin.

Like Salvia Black & Blue and Bodacious® Hummingbird Falls, Wendy’s Wish is excellent for attracting pollinators, especially hummingbirds. Against the compact annual types like Purple & Bloom and the Mirage™ Series, it gives you more height and presence, but it needs a bit more space to look its best. Wendy’s Wish excels at providing big visual impact and continuous bloom, creating a strong focal point in beds and containers without overpowering the space.