I grew some Lighthouse from seed (also a red salvia) and I'm having the same problem. I actually have some that are only stems--they've been completely consumed by something! The stems looks green and healthy and appear to be trying to put new leaves on, but I fear I may lose them. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say, as this is my first year growing salvia as well.

Do you see the damage but no insects? Any type of wildlife
like rabbits etc.. ?Can you post a picture?
Art

I'm not sure about blazepepper, but I don't see any insects when I have checked. We live near a busy road and no trees in sight, and I've never seen so much as a rabbit or squirrel around my house. Of course, that doesn't mean they're not sneaking into my yard. :) I think it must be some type of insect in my case though, because the holes start off really small in the leaves and get larger and larger until they've been completely eaten, which takes a few days. I am charging my batteries for my camera right now, so I'll try to get back here later today to post some photos.

Here's a picture of a recently planted salvia transplant:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qNoGuJ2Sxzg/SjaNNG-uReI/AAAAAAAAAPA/EgaUhI-1oXk/s800/P1010080.JPG

And here's one that was transplanted about 6 weeks ago:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qNoGuJ2Sxzg/SjaNNF_K4zI/AAAAAAAAAPE/FGD2XOWFqLA/s800/P1010081.JPG

As you can see in the first one, something is eating on it. The second one is trying to grow new leaves, but I think they are getting eaten as soon as they grow. Any ideas as to what's eating them? Again, these are S. Splendens 'Lighthouse'

Thanks!

How about slugs or small snails? How dry is your environment?

I had thought slugs. I wouldn't say we live in a dry environment...I'm near Charlotte, NC. We've had a lot of rain lately (almost every evening a shower), and I water diligently when we don't have rain. That bed gets mostly full sun (from 11am-6pm or so), but I have some salvias that are blooming and doing fine.
So should I put out some beer for slugs and see what happens?

charlsie:
I live in a drier climate than you and still have snail problems. The beer should take care of your and blazepepper
problem. Snails being out at night do their damage without
being seen. Thank You Rich!
Art

Thanks, both Rich and Art! Sorry for monopolizing your thread, blazepepper...hopefully your questions were answered as well!