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Black and Blue Anise-Scented Sage Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'

Previously known as:

  • Salvia caerulea
  • Salvia melanocalyx
Phonetic Spelling
sal-vee-uh gwar-uh-NI-tik-uh
Description

'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.  

The genus name, Salvia, is derived from the Latin word salveo. This means to "save or heal" and refers to the healing and curative attributes of some plants in this genus. The species name, guarantica, means "of Guara" and references the place of origin as Guara, Brazil. 

"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.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#easy to grow#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#upright form#deer resistant#long bloom time#annual flowers#border planting#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#bee friendly#container plant#perennial#erect#black stems#butterfly garden#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#easy to grow#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#upright form#deer resistant#long bloom time#annual flowers#border planting#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#bee friendly#container plant#perennial#erect#black stems#butterfly garden#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Salvia
    Species:
    guaranitica
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Open
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a schizocarp.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are two-lipped, tubular, and cobalt blue with black calyces. The flowers are 1.5 to 2 inches long, and they appear in axillary and terminal spikes that are up to 10 inches long. The flowers bloom from July to the first frosts of fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are dark green on the upper surface and pale green on the undersides. They are ovate, pointed, and appear wrinkled. The margins are slightly toothed. When the foliage is crushed or bruised, it has an anise scent.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    The stems are dark green, upright, branching, and square. They may grow from 3 to 5 feet tall if grown as a perennial. The stem is shorter if grown as an annual and is usually about 2.5 to 3 feet tall.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat