Salvia, Blue Anise Sage, Brazilian Sage 'Black and Blue'

On May 1, 2017, magsgarden1 from North Berwick, ME wrote:

There are so few true blue flowers, this one is a joy.I am planting it in a new garden this year as an annual, and can't wait to see how it does. Here in Zone 5b I have always planted it in large blue and white pots along with white cascading petunias, blue lobelia, and white impatiens or bacopa. It always surprises me the first time every year I see a hummingbird at it; I'm so used to them at the bright red/orange/hot pink zinnias, lantana, and fuchsia. Stems can be a bit fragile, it does appreciate some support.

On Oct 26, 2015, wingsoffreedom from San Jose, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:

I planted mine in a 5 gallon container and it took off with regular watering. Hummingbirds visit this salvia first among all my other salvias with similar looks (Amistad, Wendy's Wish) Absolutely love it due to the hummer activity.

On Jun 24, 2015, Stay95 from Indianapolis, IN wrote:

For the first time in my life I have no yard or garden space to till up as I moved into a second story apartment about 6 years ago. Not to be denied my gardening passion, I started looking for plants that would do well in containers and which also attract hummingbirds. I read about Salvia guaranitica last year, and as it is known to be a favorite with the birds, plus the vivid blue is such a great color, I picked one up at a local nursery. I put it in a 14" clay pot and it did great - a hit with me and the hummers! Knowing there would be little chance of it living through the winter outside, before the killing frost hit I brought it inside and took it into the spare bedroom; it wintered over rather easily. I just let it die back gradually in the window, keeping the soil on the dry sid... read moree, with the occasional light watering. It rested until March and suddenly started sending up two very strong stems. Today it had about 15 bloom sprays forming, with the top two already blooming. I say had, because as I was moving it just now, one branch caught on the railing and one entire stem broke off at the soil level. This is the only drawback to this plant that I have found - it's stems are brittle and break easily. I was already a little ticked at myself, as three days ago I brushed my arm against one of the currently blooming sprays and the stem snapped cleanly off. I really appreciate the color addition on the deck, but it has to be somewhere protected from strong winds or clumsy gardeners, like me....staking the stems might be a good idea for added support, so I'm going to stake what remains. It is a great plant - recommend highly.

On Apr 17, 2014, ButterflierLady from Smithville, TN wrote:

I bought one last year and it's come back after a bad winter. I hope I have this variety because I would like to plant it on a slope that is eroding and I WANT it to be invasive. I only hope it will grow in our TN clay.

On Mar 27, 2014, amelliso from Lubbock, TX (Zone 7b) wrote:

Tried several times in the past to grow this plant, with no luck. I think the heat killed it - summers with record heat lately in the low 100's for extended periods. But, last year I planted one in a bed that gets afternoon shade from a porch cover. I was pleasantly surprised this month when I discovered it coming back up and spreading by roots/runners to pop up about a foot away, as well. It's mixed with Salvia farinacea Henry Duelberg seedlings. I have high hopes that this year it will survive and actually bloom. *crossing fingers*

On Dec 4, 2013, Rickwebb from Downingtown, PA wrote:

Anise-flowered Sage is a tropical perennial plant from Brazil that is used as an annual. In a house with lots of light, it can be brought indoors for the winter. It is new on the market. I first saw it being sold in 2010, I believe. Not all garden centers sell it, but many do now. I have rooted some stem cuttings in water like Coleus, but they all don't root so easily in water. It is a strong, easy annual plant for beds or containers. Bees and hummingbirds really relish the flowers. The flowers and foliage sort of stink a little.

On Apr 14, 2013, May_Z from Grass Valley, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:

I grow this plant in Northern California, USDA zone 9a. We get snow here, I had 3" of ice on my ponds in February and temps down to 23F. However, these plants came back for me---and spread like crazy already, so early in spring. Not only that, but they seeded, I have seeds up everywhere.

It's a good thing I love this plant, which was 2X2 for me last year, planted from a 4" pot, because I am going to have a lot of it. It spreads by runners, it spreads by seed, even in this climate.

Mine bloomed the entire summer until autumn. It's a beautiful plant here in Grass Valley, CA. I think mine is spreading so much because it's in fabulous soil and gets plenty of water (it likes its water.)

The runners are quite shallow, so I think any I plant in... read more future will be planted with a barrier around them, like the top cut off a pot to stop the spread.

On Oct 22, 2012, XemaSab from Redding, CA wrote:

I bought one, and I initially put it front and center in my garden. Then I read everyone else's comments about how invasive the plant can be, so I moved it to the back fence.

It's in full shade and it almost never gets watered and it LOVES it back there. It's withstood about three summers now of 100+ degree temperatures and a strictly Darwinian watering regime (that almost killed three 5-yo elderberries) and it's bigger and better than ever.

On Apr 19, 2012, sierra77 from Cedar Valley, OK (Zone 6b) wrote:

Sounds like the farther south this plant is grown, the more it spreads. I have it in two areas of my garden in Oklahoma, borderline between zones 6-7. One gets almost a full day of sun. We have rich, heavy clay soil. It has spread slowly over the past four years I've had it and two years ago I divided it and planted some at the northwest corner of the house where it only gets a max of half a day of sun and the soil is quite moist as it is near the water hydrant. I was concerned that it might not over-winter in the moist soil but it has both years, growing amid a bed of chameleon plant. I've also seen it growing on the east side of a house and it was about 3 feet tall, nice specimen. Just beautiful and our hummers really go for it.

On Mar 21, 2012, zkmayo from Matthews, NC wrote:

I have had this plant for about 4 years ago. I planted it from a 1 gallon plant. I wouldnt call it invasive, but I would call it above-average aggressive. It has spread from about 6 inches wide to about 4 feet. It is a beautiful plant all spring and summer. Hummingbirds love it. I will probably cut some of the tubers out or some of the plant itself later this year as it has just about grown as large as I want it to.

On Dec 23, 2011, AmandaEsq from Greensboro, NC (Zone 7b) wrote:

I planted 3 in a bed which receives full sun but only for part of the day. The plants are lined up in a north-south direction, and the one farthest from the sun/gets the least sun is much smaller than the plant up front which receives FS for about 8 hours in summer.

The hummers love it, as do I. I deadhead frequently in summer and perhaps keep it from growing much taller. I created the bed it is planted in when we moved here just below the back porch. It is bounded by concrete on 3 sides and aside from the random transplant by me has no real competitors.

On Aug 19, 2011, CCPikie from Elmhurst, IL wrote:

I've seen this billed as a "xeric" plant, or requiring little water. I bought a potted "Black and Blue" and put it on the south side of my house where it was in full sun for about five hours a day. I amended the soil with compost. I had to water it like crazy just to keep it alive. It took all growing season just to reach about two and a half feet.

On Jul 11, 2011, HunterOrion from Warrington, FL wrote:

I'm going to go with neutral on this one just because as others have said - it _can_ be horribly invasive, at least under the right conditions. It is a pretty plant, attractive to hummingbirds, and very drought-tolerant; but if I'd had any idea how tough it was going to be to eradicate from the flowerbed I originally planted it in, I'd never have put one there. [and in fact I found this page while looking for some way to get rid of them permanently that doesn't involve herbicide or digging up the entire bed - and the latter I'm not even sure would do it, unless I remove every inch of soil a foot or more down.]

The bed I originally planted it in is one I normally only plant annuals in; so it's got better-than-usual soil (probably 4-6" of peat/potting soil mixture, with nati... read moreve sand underneath). The Salvia loved it - and is still loving it, unfortunately. Four years after moving the one plant, I am *still* having them come up in that bed, all over the place; and every time I think I've gotten them all out of there, more will appear. I've given dozens of the roots I've dug out of there away (most of which have sprouted for the new owners, unless allowed to dry out too much before replanting), transplanted a few to places where nothing else wants to grow - and still, they keep coming back in that one bed, even though none have been allowed to remain in there long enough even to flower, for years now. They are nothing if not persistent...

But that is of course often the way of things...where I don't mind them being or actively want them to be, they're not multiplying like that. Only where I don't want them to be are they propagating like mad... :D

On Mar 19, 2011, hummerdude from Dallas, TX wrote:

This is an easy gorgeous perrenial that will attract lots of bees, hummers and human admirers. It blooms until first frost. This is the the third year after 3 or 4 original plants and it is coming back quite thick this spring (and we got down to 10 degrees this winter!) Now I can share some with my sister as well as put some in the backyard. I would say it's hardy--not invasive--quit whining people! -- HSH, Dallas, Texas

On Dec 11, 2010, Hamchuk from Weaverville, NC (Zone 6b) wrote:

This is a lovely and surprisingly hardy plant, highly recommended. No issues with invasive spreading, after how we've treated it I'm shocked that it's still alive! We're planning on propagating from cuttings.

On Nov 27, 2010, sherriseden from Bloomington, IN (Zone 6a) wrote:

Gorgeous true blue flower; I plant as an annual in my z5 - part sun to part shade (I have no full sun) and it just blooms its heart out! Love it.

On Aug 4, 2010, joeswife from (Debra) Derby, KS (Zone 6a) wrote:

This Salvia comes back for me in zone 5 ( Kansas) after winter and spreads like crazy. I love it.

On Mar 21, 2010, ladybug_pc from Adairsville, GA (Zone 7b) wrote:

This is a great plant. Humming bird's love it and the previous post is correct; the honey bees "cheat" and gather nector from the base of the flower. I haven't found this plant to be invasive. It just gradually becomes a thicker, slighty wider clump. I have part of the fence line edged with this plant (it grows 3 feet tall for me) and I have a large clump on the back side of my chaste tree. The dark blue flowers and lime green leaves on this plant make a beautiful contrast.

On Aug 12, 2009, lothianjavert from North East, MD (Zone 6b) wrote:

I love this plant, but I think the hummers love it even more. I have a large variety of agastache, lobelia and other salvias, but this is by far the hummingbirds' favorite.

Last year was the first year I grew Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue', and sadly, it did not survive the winter. I'm in 6b, which is supposedly just outside of the hardiness zone. I didn't expect the one in the back to come back, as the soil stays quite wet through the winter. However, the one in the raised bed (well drained) next to the foundation also didn't make it. I will admit it was an odd winter with spells of unseasonably warm weather followed by temperatures below zero, and several major ice storms.

I am trying again this year, and I've added a great deal of sand, perlite an... read mored mulch to the 'Black and Blue' in the back garden. S. guaranitica 'Omaha Gold' is in the front raised bed. Hopefully they come back. Even if they don't, they are worth growing as an annual, and I'll continue to grow them.

On May 24, 2009, cedar18 from Lula, GA (Zone 7b) wrote:

A beautiful plant; fantastic color and the hummers (as everyone says!) loved it. It did NOT come back for me but I bought two more. Oddly, one is purple.

On Jun 12, 2008, khasdorff from Victoria, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

As already stated, a beautiful plant, gorgeous color and hummers love it, but....it has become a real thug in my garden. Completely died to the ground over winter, but came back with a vengeance and has overtaken and choked out everything around. Trying to eradicate it is challenging, to say the least. Just when I think I have pulled up every little underground runner...up pops a bright green leaf! I would only recommend this for out of the way areas or in a container. I'm not sure even a container could control it!

On Mar 19, 2008, TropiTiki from Murrells Inlet, SC (Zone 8b) wrote:

I planted this two years ago and it has become one of my faves. Everyone that sees it loves it, and it is a favorite of the hummingbirds also, as well as hummingbird moths. Last year the two together grew over three feet wide and three feet tall. I'm getting a little afraid that it may turn invasive on me since I have five plants coming up in the bed this year and three more in the grassy path, but it'll be worth the trouble.

On Oct 27, 2007, Sashagirl from Davenport, IA (Zone 5a) wrote:

I discovered this plant just this year, and wonder how I ever got along without it!!
I bought 3, in quart pots, at my favorite garden center.
At first, I wasn't impressed with it, but after a few weeks in the ground, I was in awe.
The foliage and blooms look rather delicate, but this is a sturdy, easy care plant, that requires very little water or fertilizer, to put on a glorious show.
I have many red and trumpet shaped flowers for the Hummers to feast on, but these plants were their absolute favorites!!
The only problem I had, was locating any seeds from them. Never did find any. rats.
Two of the plants are close to the foundation of my home, so I'm hoping they overwinter. If not, I WILL be seeking out more, next year. A lovely addition to any lan... read moredscape.

On Dec 27, 2006, pal2k9s from Lake Arrowhead, CA (Zone 8a) wrote:

In the spring I planted 3 four-inch tall 'Black and Blue' plants in a dry, sunny area of my garden where I couldn't get much to grow. They rewarded me with amazing growth by summer, reaching almost 5 feet tall. In my garden, they bloom constantly until the first freeze. The flowers are gorgeous, and the scent of the leaves is amazing. And they reseed very nicely as well. They enjoy a good drink once a week unless it's really hot- then an extra watering or two keeps them happy.

One of my favorite activities is watching all the bees and hummingbirds flock around these plants. It's really funny to see the huge bumblebees try to get to the nectar of these narrow flowers. Many bees 'cheat' to get to the nectar; they make a small hole in the calyx of the flower to get to it... read more. I have enough hummingbirds to ensure pollination of them, though!

On Sep 6, 2006, kman_blue from (Zone 6b) wrote:

I planted some of these as annuals about 3 years ago, but much to my surprise they've come back from the roots every year since. I planted them in a full sun spot with sandy very well drained soil. They've been through about -3F here so far and they only die back to the ground. I think the sandy well drained soil might help them survive colder temperatures than they normally would. It might be just a matter of time until we have a cold enough winter to kill them, but I'm going to enjoy them until that happens!

On May 10, 2006, cottonfarm from Midlothian, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

This is one of my favorite plants, it seems to bloom so well. It is such a nice companion to reds and yellows in the perrenial beds.

On Sep 2, 2005, kizilod from Uxbridge, MA wrote:

2005
I am growing this plant in my self-watering window boxes, and it is very unhappy with the constantly moist soil. It had scale and aphids earlier in the season and is now dropping many of its leaves (which have turned yellow with brown edges). However, the blossoms are still beautiful, and attract hummingbirds.

2012
I tried growing this salvia again in terra cotta pots, with homemade soilless potting mix (Cornell University recipe). It is doing much better for me than when I grew it in my soggy self-watering window boxes. I am growing it in partial sun, but I am still getting quite a few flowers on it. Yesterday I was standing two and a half feet away from this salvia when a hummingbird came up to it and started feeding. She hovered just beyond my arms reac... read moreh, going from flower to flower. Very cool!

On Sep 5, 2004, tazzy from Sand Springs, OK (Zone 7a) wrote:

grows well in Tulsa and Sand Springs ok.

On Jun 13, 2004, BUFFY690 from Prosperity, SC (Zone 7b) wrote:

When I saw these particular plants together at my local nursery I thought it had seed pods on it with the flower buds being BLACK and then I looked closer and noticed the BLUE flowers and then I looked at the tag and saw the name B:ACK and BLUE and I thought it would be an cool plant for a drier part of my garden. In the sunlight you can really see the black and blue standing out.

On Apr 14, 2004, htop from San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

'Black and Blue' Salvia guaranitica has cobalt blue, tubular, 2 inch long blooms that have a hood-like upper lip and a shorter lower lip that points downward. The dark stems and dark purple, nearly black calyces (the structures that enclose the base of the petals) make it a very interesting looking plant. They do not smell like anise. The individual flowers appear on showy 10-15 inch spikes. It does best in part shade/ filtere shade in my yard. The summer heat and sun causes it to wilt if it receives too much sun. But, if it is in total shade, its bloom production is poor. It has produced new plants by short runners.

On Jan 25, 2003, vroomp from Marietta, GA (Zone 7a) wrote:

This plant did well in a semi-protected part of my yard in full sun. It has come back each year bigger and more full of blooms. Zone 7 Atlanta