Black and Blue Anise-Scented Sage Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Salvia caerulea
- Salvia melanocalyx
- Phonetic Spelling
- sal-vee-uh gwar-uh-NI-tik-uh
- Description
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'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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a schizocarp.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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