Anise-scented sage (Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue')
Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' provides long bloom of deep blue flowers with black calyces, attractive to hummingbirds. Anise-scented sage is low maintenance.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue,’ commonly known as Anise-scented sage, is a prized choice for gardeners seeking brilliant color that lasts from mid-summer until the first hard frost. Its deep cobalt blue flowers, strikingly contrasted by dark black calyces, create a dramatic vertical accent in the landscape. This plant is highly valued for its long blooming season and its exceptional ability to draw in hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
This tender perennial or subshrub features a bushy, upright habit supported by square, dark green stems. While native to regions like Brazil and Argentina, Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ thrives outside its native range when cultural needs—particularly sun and moisture—are met. Even where it is not winter-hardy, it excels as a reliable annual performer, bringing tropical flair to borders and containers.
The low maintenance required by Anise-scented sage makes it accessible to many gardeners. It offers significant aesthetic return for minimal input, provided it receives adequate water and sufficient sunlight. Ensure you plant Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ where its striking coloration can be fully appreciated throughout the warm growing months.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-5 ft
- Spread: 2-5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to frost
- Bloom Description: Deep blue with black calyces
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance as a perennial in Zones 8-10, plant Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ in average, evenly moist, well-drained soils. If growing in areas north of Zone 8, treat it as an annual, setting transplants out after the last spring frost date. This sage prefers organically rich loams and requires full sun, though it can tolerate part shade; be aware that too much shade encourages elongated, floppy stems.
Watering should remain consistent, as this plant prefers medium moisture levels. It is considered low maintenance, but deadheading spent flowers regularly will maximize the continuous bloom cycle extending from July right up to frost time. A key cultural note is propagation: while species forms may be raised from seed indoors, this named cultivar, Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue,’ should be propagated via cuttings.
If growing where winter survival is possible (Zones 6-7 with protection), consider cutting back stems in late spring to control height, which usually ranges from 3 to 5 feet when mature. For overwintering success outside the garden, take cuttings in late summer or pot up smaller plants in the fall to keep in a cool, bright, sunny window. Avoid letting plants become overly dry at any point during the season.
Landscape Uses
The dramatic hues of the Anise-scented sage make it indispensable in mixed borders and cottage gardens, where its deep blue spikes contrast beautifully with yellows, whites, and oranges. Because it matures to 2-5 feet tall, position it toward the middle or back of the border where it can serve as a strong vertical element without obscuring smaller companions. When grown exclusively as an annual north of Zone 8, Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ provides excellent height variance.
Containers are another excellent venue for showcasing the striking flower spikes of this variety. Plant several together in a large pot, perhaps pairing them with trailing petunias or bright geraniums in the front. Its vigorous, upright growth habit means it quickly fills out space, providing season-long interest.
Its stature also allows it to function well when massed as a temporary screen or hedge in landscape beds. Remember that the foliage of the Anise-scented sage emits a pleasant anise-like scent when brushed against, adding another sensory layer to its use near pathways or seating areas.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Salvia guaranitica is native to Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. It is a tender perennial or subshrub that exhibits a bushy, somewhat open habit with upright, branching, square, dark green stems typically growing 3-5’ tall. When grown as an annual, plant height is shorter, more often in the 2.5-3’ area. Two-lipped, tubular, deep blue flowers (to 2” long) with purple-blue calyxes bloom in axillary and terminal spikes (to 10” long) from mid summer into fall. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Ovate, wrinkled, pointed, lightly-toothed, dark green leaves (2-5” long) are pale pale green below. The genus name Salvia comes from the Latin word salveo meaning “to save or heal,” referencing purported curative properties. ‘Black and Blue’ is a specific cultivar known for its deep cobalt blue flowers elegantly set against jet-black calyces.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
Overall, Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ is recognized for having no serious insect or disease problems, which contributes to its low maintenance reputation. Gardeners should primarily monitor for fungal issues, as this sage can be susceptible to both downy mildew and powdery mildew, especially in conditions of high humidity or poor air circulation. To mitigate these risks, ensure the plant is situated where it receives adequate sun exposure and air movement, and avoid overhead watering when possible.
If plants are placed in too much shade, the structural integrity suffers, leading to weak stems that elongate and fall over rather than standing proudly upright. Promptly addressing weak growth by increasing sunlight or implementing light pruning will keep the plant looking its best throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Anise-scented sage suitable for?
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10, though it may survive into Zones 6-7 with winter mulching in protected locations.
How large does Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ grow?
When established, this plant typically achieves a height between 2 to 5 feet and spreads 2 to 5 feet wide, though height may be slightly shorter when treated as an annual.
What sun exposure does Anise-scented sage need?
This plant performs best in full sun but tolerates partial shade; however, reduced light can cause stems to become weak and sprawl.
When does Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ bloom?
This variety produces its signature deep blue flowers with black calyces starting in July and continues blooming consistently until the first hard frost arrives.
Conclusion
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ offers exceptional value through its striking, long-lasting flower production and appeal to vital pollinators like hummingbirds. This beautiful Anise-scented sage is remarkably low maintenance, making it a reliable staple for summer color. Before planting, confirm your local hardiness zone matches USDA Zones 8-10 for perennial survival, or plan to treat this wonderful selection as a spectacular annual.
Companion Planting
When planning the garden around your Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue,’ focus on neighbors that share its preference for medium water and full sun exposure. Plants with yellow or white blooms create a stunning complementary contrast against the deep blue and black of the Anise-scented sage. Consider pairing it with lighter-colored Zinnias, Shasta Daisies, or taller ornamental grasses to enhance the vertical structure.
For a cottage garden feel, group it with softer textures like silver-leaved Artemisia or various perennial Geraniums that don’t aggressively compete for moisture at the root zone. Since Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ appreciates rich soil, ensure companions benefit from similar fertile conditions to maintain overall garden health.
Wildlife Benefits
The tubular flowers of the ‘Black and Blue’ cultivar are perfectly shaped for attracting long-tongued visitors to the garden. This sage is an absolute magnet for hummingbirds, providing them with essential nectar over a very long bloom window, from the height of summer well into autumn. Gardeners focused on ecological planting should prioritize this selection for its proven reliability in supporting avian wildlife.
Furthermore, the open spike structure and accessible nectar sources welcome various butterflies seeking energy for migration or daily feeding. By incorporating Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ into your landscape, you are actively creating a vital refueling station during peak insect activity periods.
