Anise-scented sage 'Black and Blue' Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'

'Black and Blue' salvia is an attractive cultivar that is grown as a perennial or subshrub. It is hardy in zones 7 through10, but it may be grown as an annual in colder climates. They are one of the most popular and common salvias on the market. This plant grows 2 to 5 feet tall and equally as wide. It has an upright, open, and clumping habit. The fragrant leaves are dark green, and the plant produces showy spikes of cobalt blue flowers with black calyces in mid-summer. The nectar of the flowers attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It is a member of the Lamiaceae or mint family.  

"Black and Blue' salvias enjoys full sun. If planted in too much shade, they tend to flop over and have fewer flowers. They prefer rich loamy soils that are moist and well-drained. Once they are established, they may become more heat and drought-tolerant. It is best to provide sheltered exposure from cold winds for these plants. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage more blooms. It is recommended to prune these plants to the ground in late winter. Dividing the clumps every couple of years will make them more attractive. They may be propagated by stem cuttings or division. In colder climates, the tuberous roots of this plant may be harvested in early autumn and stored in a cool dark area and replanted in the warm spring. In warm climates, the plant may be evergreen through the winter.

The stems are usually dark green and grow to 3 to 5 feet tall. When 'Black and Blue' salvia is grown as an annual, it is shorter. It may only reach a height of 2.5 to 3 feet. The leaves of this plant appear wrinkled, and the undersides are a paler green than the upper surface. The deep cobalt blue flowers with the black calyx are distinctive for this cultivar.

Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies are attracted to the nectar of the flowers. Interestingly, many bees are nectar robbers. They chew or drill holes through the calyx to get to the nectar directly versus entering the flowers.

'Black and Blue' salvia is easy and fast-growing. This attractive pollinator plant with its showy blooms during the summer and fall will add interest to any border garden, patio, container garden, butterfly garden, or cottage garden. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Late Summer to Fall      Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• erect, branching, square-shaped dark green stems
• fragrant, ovate, pointed, wrinkled dark green leaves on the upper surface and pale green beneath
• cobalt blue two-lipped and tubular blooms that are up to 2 inches long with black calyces
• blooms appear axillary and terminally as a spike, measuring up to 10 inches long
• blooming mid-summer to fall

Pests, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  'Black and Blue' cultivar has no serious insect or disease problems. The plant may be susceptible to downy mildew, powdery mildew, and root rot. Leafhoppers, aphids, red spider mites, and whitefly can be seen. Young growth may be attacked by snails and slugs. This plant can spread by tuberous roots.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Salvia guaranitica.