Blue Anise Sage Salvia guaranitica
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-uh gwar-uh-NYE-tik-uh
- Description
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Blue anise sage is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family that grows up to 5 feet in height and width. It is native to Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. The species epithet, guarantica, means "of Guara" and references the place of origin as Guara, Brazil.
This plant grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers humus-rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil. It is drought and heat tolerant once established. Although it is a tender perennial that is hardy in zones 8 to 10, it may be grown as an annual in cold-winter regions. 'Black and Blue' is hardier than other cultivars and will survive milder winters in zone 7 if well mulched.
Use this sage as a border or mass planting in a garden bed, container, or naturalized area. It works well in a pollinator, butterfly, or cottage garden, as it is a reliable nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds and is seldom damaged by deer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Whitefly, aphids, mealy bug, and spider mites are insect problems. Rust, powdery mildew, stem rot, and fungal leaf spot are disease problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Herb & Flower Cottage Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Argentina Skies'
Pale blue flowers with a green calyx.
'Black and Blue'
- 'Blue Ensign'
Large medium blue flowers - Omaha
Variegated form of ‘Costa Rica’ with yellow and green leaves
Deep blue petals and a dark purple-black calyx - 'Argentina Skies'
- 'Argentina Skies', 'Black and Blue', 'Blue Ensign', Omaha
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Argentina Skies'
Pale blue flowers with a green calyx.
'Black and Blue'
- 'Blue Ensign'
Large medium blue flowers - Omaha
Variegated form of ‘Costa Rica’ with yellow and green leaves
Deep blue petals and a dark purple-black calyx - 'Argentina Skies'
- 'Argentina Skies', 'Black and Blue', 'Blue Ensign', Omaha
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- guaranitica
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used by the Guarani Indians of Brazil as a sedative.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina
- 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:
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Spreading
- 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)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Description:
- Schizocarp has 4 chambers with 1 nutlet each
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are two-lipped: the upper lip forms a hood over the stamens and the lower lip is downward-pointing, wide and toothed.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Oval, lightly-toothed, dark green leaves (2-5” long) are wrinkled above and pale green below
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
