If you’re looking for a tall background plant with beautiful blue flowers that bloom all summer, consider the Blue Anise Sage. Botanically known as Salvia guaranitica, this is another wonderful member of the lamiaceae family.

Known for its vibrant, cobalt blue blossoms displayed against black stalks and calyces, this striking perennial plant offers much more than just aesthetics. The Blue Anise Sage is a haven for pollinators, hardy in various climates, and provides a long season of beautiful blooms.

Blue Anise Sage – Salvia guaranitica

The Blue Anise Sage, commonly referred to as the Black and Blue Salvia due to its distinctive black calyces and deep blue flowers, is a member of the mint family and native to South America. Its vibrant blue color and aromatic foliage make it a favorite among garden enthusiasts and pollinators alike.

Salvia guaranitica Common Names

• Anise-scented Sage
• Black and Blue Sage
• Blue Anise Sage
• Brazilian Sage
• Guarani Sage
• Hummingbird Sage

Common names can vary regionally and culturally. Also, a common name might be shared by different plant species, which is why scientific names are used for precise identification.

And… while it’s called “blue sage”, the blossoms could also be categorized as purple flowers.

Taxonomy: Salvia guaranitica Scientific Names Taxonomy

Guaranitica is pronounced: gwar-an-IT-icah

• Kingdom: Plantae
  • Subkingdom: Viridiplantae
    • Infrakingdom: Streptophyta
      • Superdivision: Embryophyta
        • Division (or Phylum): Tracheophyta
          • Subdivision (or Subphylum): Spermatophytina
            • Class: Magnoliopsida
              • Order: Lamiales
                • Family: Lamiaceae
                  • Genus: Salvia
                    • Species: Salvia guaranitica

Blue Anise Sage Characteristics

Physical Traits of Salvia guaranitica

• Height and Spread:
  • Grows up to 3 to 6 feet tall.
  • Can spread 2 to 3 feet wide.
• Habit:
  • Bushy habit with arching stems.
• Leaves:
  • Deep green in color.
  • Deciduous nature, with leaf loss in winter.
• Flowers:
  • Tubular in shape.
  • Arranged in whorls along the upper part of the stems.
  • Vibrant, almost electric blue color.
  • Held within distinctive black calyces, giving it the name Black and Blue Salvia.
• Blooming Period:
  • Blooms from mid-summer to the first frost, providing a long season of color.

This perennial plant grows up to 3 to 6 feet tall and can spread 2 to 3 feet wide. It has a bushy habit with arching stems that hold up the brilliant flowers. The deep green leaves, contrasting with the black stems and brilliant blue flowers, create a dramatic effect that is hard to ignore.

The flowers are tubular and arranged in whorls along the upper part of the stems. These vibrant, almost electric blue flowers are held within black calyces, thus the name Black and Blue Salvia. The plant blooms from mid-summer to the first frost, providing a long season of color and interest.

Cultivation and Care of Black and Blue Anise Sage

• USDA Hardiness Zones:
  • Thrives in zones 7 through 10.
  • Grows as a perennial in these zones, and as an annual in cooler climates.
• Sunlight Requirements:
  • Prefers full sun to partial shade.
• Soil Requirements:
  • Best in well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
• Watering:
  • Relatively drought-tolerant once established.
  • Prefers consistent watering.
• Pruning:
  • Regular pruning is recommended.
  • Helps maintain the plant’s shape.
  • Encourages more prolific flowering.
• Invasive Characteristics:
  • Not typically invasive but can spread in ideal conditions.
• Pest and Disease Resistance:
  • Generally resistant to most pests, occasionally can be affected by aphids and whiteflies.
  • Mostly disease-resistant, can be susceptible to root rot in poor drainage conditions.

Growing Blue Anise Sage

Invasive Characteristics

While Salvia guaranitica is a rapidly growing plant, it isn’t generally considered invasive. It does spread, I mean it is after all in the mint family, but it’s usually manageable and not overly aggressive. In some warmer climates where conditions are ideal, it might proliferate more freely, so it’s advisable to monitor its growth.

Drought Resistance

The Blue Anise Sage is relatively drought-resistant, especially once established. It has the ability to withstand brief periods of dry conditions. However, for optimal growth and flowering, it prefers regular watering and well-drained soil.

Salvia guaranitica is drought resistant due to water storage organs on their roots which swell with water and aid in survival during dry periods.

Sun Requirements

This plant enjoys full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, it benefits from some afternoon shade, but too much shade can result in leggy growth and reduced blooming.

Pests

Salvia guaranitica is generally resistant to most pests. Occasionally, it can be affected by common garden pests like aphids and whiteflies. Regular monitoring and early intervention can help manage these pests.

Disease

The Blue Anise Sage is fairly disease-resistant. However, in poor drainage conditions, it can be susceptible to root rot. Ensuring good soil drainage can prevent this issue.

Perennial and Annual

In its native habitat and warmer climates (USDA hardiness zones 7-10), Salvia guaranitica grows as a perennial. In colder climates, it can be grown as an annual.

Pollinator’s Paradise

Besides its aesthetic appeal, the Blue Anise Sage serves an important ecological role. It is a magnet for pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that aid in pollination.

Uses in the Garden

The Blue Anise Sage makes an excellent addition to a variety of garden settings. Its height and dramatic color make it a perfect backdrop in a perennial border. It also thrives in container gardens, bringing vertical interest and vibrant color. Moreover, it’s an excellent choice for a pollinator garden or a wildlife-friendly landscape.

Benefits of Salvia guaranitica

While the Blue Anise Sage, Salvia guaranitica, is primarily recognized for its ornamental value, several species of Salvia have been traditionally used for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

There are numerous scientific studies proving some of the many medicinal benefits of Salvia officinales. Fewer studies have been done on some of the other salvias, such as Salvia guaranitica, however there are a few proven benefits as well as several ethnobotanical uses to know.

Edible Benefits of Blue Anise Sage, Salvia guaranitica

Nectar: The nectar of the Blue Anise Sage flowers are said to be sweet and enjoyed by indigenous groups in its native habitat. However, we’ve sampled our own Blue Anise Sage and have noted more of a pungent bitter sage flavor than sweetness. Perhaps S. guaranitica qualities can vary in sweetness by growing climate.

Leaves: The aromatic leaves, reminiscent of anise (thus the common name Blue Anise Sage), can be used sparingly in teas or as a flavoring agent in various recipes. However, they have a stronger, bitter and more pungent flavor than Common Sage, Salvia officinalis, which is a staple in many kitchens.

Traditional & Proven Medicinal Benefits of Blue Anise Sage, Salvia guaranitica

Traditional Uses: In some South American cultures, Salvia guaranitica has been used traditionally as a remedy for various ailments. The indigenous peoples have sometimes used it for its potential anti-inflammatory and calming properties.

Digestive Health: Some herbal practitioners believe that the leaves of the Blue Anise Sage can help soothe digestive issues. Its potential antispasmodic properties might help with indigestion or minor stomach upsets.

Sedative Properties: Traditionally, some cultures have utilized Salvia guaranitica for its calming effects, which benefits have also been verified scientifically. A tea made from its leaves may have mild sedative properties, potentially helping to calm nerves or induce sleep.^[1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23195245/

Antioxidant Properties: Like many herbs, Salvia guaranitica may possess antioxidant properties that can help combat free radicals in the body, although more research is needed in this area.

You may also enjoy our article on this other mint family member, the popular bee balm uses

Remember that it’s always advisable to do your research and consult with a knowledgeable botanist, herbalist, or medical professional before ingesting or using it for medicinal purposes. As with pharmaceuticals, some plants may interact with medications or have unintended side effects.

In conclusion, while the Blue Anise Sage is primarily esteemed for its ornamental beauty, it also has a rich history of traditional use, some of which have been scientifically studied and validated.