Anise-scented sage (Salvia guaranitica)
Salvia guaranitica, or Anise-scented sage, offers vibrant deep blue flowers attractive to hummingbirds. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in full sun.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Salvia guaranitica, commonly known as Anise-scented sage, is a stunning, bushy perennial valued for its summer-long displays of rich blue flowers. Native to South America, this species provides vertical interest and vibrant color from mid-summer well into the fall months. While technically a tender perennial, its versatility allows it to be a centerpiece in gardens across many climates.
This Salvia guaranitica generally forms an upright, somewhat open habit, producing dark green foliage on square stems. Its primary garden appeal lies in the striking, two-lipped, deep blue tubular flowers, which are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Gardeners appreciate the low maintenance required to keep the Anise-scented sage flowering profusely from July through October.
For gardeners outside its primary hardiness range (Zones 8-10), treating Salvia guaranitica as an annual provides reliable summer performance without the need for winter protection. Even when grown as a non-hardy summer annual, this sage quickly reaches impressive heights, adding structure to borders and large containers.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-5 ft
- Spread: 2-5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to October
- Bloom Description: Deep blue with purple-blue calyx
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Salvia guaranitica is best done after the danger of the last spring frost has passed, especially when setting out annual transplants. This plant prefers organically rich loams but adapts to average, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Ensure it receives full sun to maximize stem strength and blooming; too much shade encourages leggy, weak stems that tend to sprawl.
Ongoing care for Anise-scented sage is straightforward, requiring medium water, particularly during dry spells. Maintenance is generally low. Deadheading spent flower spikes will continually encourage the plant to produce more blooms throughout the summer and into autumn. If you notice the plant stretching too tall, a light cutback of stems in late spring can help maintain a more compact structure.
For gardeners overwintering this tender perennial in Zones 6-7, consider cutting back the stems and potting up a few plants in the fall to bring indoors, or propagating by taking cuttings in late summer for overwintering indoors in a cool, bright location. In its hardy zones, plants may survive mild winters with insulating mulch, but be prepared to cut back severely in spring.
Landscape Uses
The recommendations for Salvia guaranitica span from formal structures to informal cottage gardens, utilizing its height and long bloom period. It excels as a superb addition to mixed borders where its vertical habit can anchor shorter perennials, or it works equally well as a bold specimen in containers. When grown as an annual in cooler regions, it serves as a temporary, high-impact feature for summer color.
Due to its strong vertical lines and rich blue hue, Anise-scented sage pairs beautifully with plants offering contrasting foliage texture or warm color companions, such as silver-leaved artemisias or deep yellow rudbeckia varieties. Its strong architectural form makes it excellent for framing doorways or the back of a sunny foundation planting.
For those designing for wildlife, incorporating Salvia guaranitica ensures a steady late-season nectar source. Containers offer flexibility, allowing you to place this vibrant blue beacon wherever you need maximum visual impact during the peak heat of summer and early fall.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Salvia guaranitica is native to Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, often existing as a tender perennial or subshrub exhibiting a bushy habit with upright, branching, square stems usually reaching 3 to 5 feet tall. The two-lipped, tubular, deep blue flowers, up to 2 inches long, bloom in terminal spikes from mid-summer onward, providing excellent support for hummingbirds and butterflies. The ovate, wrinkled, dark green leaves are pale green underneath, and while the foliage may sometimes be called anise scented sage, the aroma is typically very mild upon bruising.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
Salvia guaranitica is generally recognized for having very few serious insect or disease issues, making it a reliable choice for low-maintenance gardens. However, like many salvias, it can occasionally be susceptible to fungal issues, specifically downy mildew and powdery mildew, especially when air circulation is poor or humidity is high. To prevent these issues, ensure proper spacing during planting and water the soil directly rather than wetting the foliage, particularly in the late afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Anise-scented sage suitable for?
Salvia guaranitica is reliably winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10, though some protection may allow survival in Zone 7.
How large does Salvia guaranitica grow?
In optimal conditions where it is hardy, this plant can reach 5 to 6 feet tall, although in annual settings or less ideal locations, expect heights closer to 2 to 3 feet, with a spread matching its height.
What sun exposure does Salvia guaranitica need?
This species performs best in full sun but tolerates part shade; be aware that significant shade can cause the stems of the Salvia guaranitica to become floppy.
When does Anise-scented sage bloom?
It blooms profusely from July through October, displaying deep blue, tubular flowers accented by purple-blue calyxes.
Conclusion
The vibrant, long-lasting blue flowers of Salvia guaranitica make it an indispensable plant for late-season garden structure and pollinator support. With its generally low maintenance demands, the Anise-scented sage offers high rewards whether utilized as a dependable perennial or a spectacular annual filler. Before planting, confirm your local USDA Zone compatibility or plan to provide overwintering care for season after season enjoyment.
Wildlife Benefits
The tubular, nectar-rich blooms of Salvia guaranitica are a significant draw for avian visitors. Hummingbirds actively seek out the deep blue flowers throughout the summer and fall, making this plant essential for late-season feeding stations. Butterflies are also frequent visitors to the spikes of Anise-scented sage, aiding in garden pollination efforts.
Propagation Tips
While species plants of Salvia guaranitica can be started from seed indoors before the last frost, increasing your stock of named cultivars is typically best achieved through vegetative cutting propagation. Take cuttings in late summer, which can root and establish into small plants ready for overwintering indoors or planting out the following spring. This method ensures genetic consistency and often results in quicker establishment than starting from seed.
