Black & Blue Salvia

Salvia guaranitica ‘Black & Blue’

Other Common Names: Blue Anise Sage, ‘Black and Bloom’ Salvia

Plant Details & Attributes

USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 7a-10a Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Perennial

Height at Maturity: 36-48″ in ground, 24-30″ in containers

Width at Maturity: 36-48″
Spacing: 30″ for solid hedges or mass plantings

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Upright

Growth Rate: Fast

Flower Color: Deep Cobalt-Blue

Flower Size: 1″

Flowering Period: May to Frost!

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Emerald Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Part Shade

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well-drained, Moist

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5 (Moderately Acid to Slightly Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Rabbit

Description

If you are looking best-of-the-best flowering perennial plants that are absolutely sure to draw hummingbirds, Black & Blue Salvia is a must-have plant for your hummingbird garden! A hardy perennial in USDA Zones 7a-10a, Black & Blue Salvia can be grown in garden beds or containers. In zones north of 7a, you can grow it as an annual or in containers that can be overwintered indoors.

Salvia Black & Blue, also known as Blue Anise Sage, is a large-growing perennial plant that reaches about 4 to 5 feet in height with an equal spread. Perfectly designed for hummingbirds, the tubular deep cobalt-blue flowers, which look like an opened pelicans beak, are produced in abundance from late spring through early winter. This selection of the hardy salvia differs from the norm in that the calyx (the little cup that holds the open flower) is black instead of the usual green! Hence the name ‘Black & Blue’.

Note: We noticed recently (2021) that a Salvia guarantica called “Black & Bloom” popped on to the scene. From what we can tell, this “new” variety is identical to what we’ve been offering for decades as ‘Black and Blue’ Salvia (Anise Sage).

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, Black & Blue Salvia is ideal for growing in garden beds or large pots, planters and other containers of 18 inches or more in diameter. Plant near patios, decks, porches and other outdoor living spaces where the unusual flowers can be enjoyed from close up, and the hummingbirds feeding too! A fine addition to hummingbird gardens, perennial gardens, wildflower gardens and cottage gardens.

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a, where this Salvia variety is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

A hardy perennial in USDA Zones 7a-10a, Black & Blue Salvia prefers a moist but well-drained soil and likes full sun to partial shade. Flowering will be heavier and plants more dense with more sun. It is tolerant of short dry periods when growing in the ground however will appreciate an occasional deep soaking when temperatures are high and weather is dry. This plant will let you know when it needs water. If the leaves start wilting, give it a soaking and the plant will perk right back up!

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts for how to plant and care for Salvia plants.

How To Plant Perennial Salvia & Sage Plants

How To Fertilize & Water Salvia & Sage Plants

How To Prune Salvia & Sage Plants

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

The plant came in wonderful condition; the packaging was perfect, no damage. It’s adapted well to the new environment and is putting out new growth. Highly recommended.———————————————–Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Arrived when promised. Very healthy plant. In my garden now, blooming and looking beautiful.——————————————–Thanks for the awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I was very impressed with the packing of these plants. I have ordered plants (small and large) from other nurseries that I thought were packed well, but yours are excellent. The plants themselves are worthy of the cost and the nicest plants I have purchased online. I thought they were a little pricey at first but the quality speaks for itself. and no shipping cost. was a big plus . The plants are doing well and are already being enjoyed by the hummingbirds.——————————————————Awesome! Thanks for the kind words and awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Very happy with the appearance. Had one plant get banged up really bad. I personally believe UPS was the culprit. The support bracing came loose. I have taken many of these loose getting to the plants. Not very easy. I believe the box was thrown around during transit. They offered to replace it if it didn’t make it. It’s looking good and I am feeling good about it.——————————————–Keep us posted! We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG :

In the dead heat of summer, I’ ordered this Black and Blue Salvia. I knew it would be just great and it was perfect! Big, healthy, beautiful, blooming and well watered even though the pkg/box was hot!
How they do that to perfection I don’t know but I could give exact wording on the blue indigo clematis I ordered earlier! No one compares to Wilson Brothers! I’ve ordered the past several years and will again! They obviously care about their plants and customers!
I hope they have Imperial Blue Plumbago next Spring! Thank you, brothers!!—————————————————-Wow! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plant we received was a nice size and in good health. It is now growing well and the hummingbirds love it. Thanks.—————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

When the black and blue salvia I ordered arrived damaged, I immediately sent a photo to Wilson Bros of the package and plant. I knew that the damage happened in transport, as Wilson plants always arrive in excellent condition. Sure enough, in a matter of days, Wilson Bros. sent a new black and blue, with three beautiful blooming stalks. You can count on Wilson Bros. for healthy, large plants and they back up their guarantee 100%.————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I have placed several orders with you. I have been very pleased with the quality of the plants, the packing of the plants for shipment, and the shipment itself. All of the plants are doing very well in our garden!——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I love Wilson Bros! Everything I’ve purchased exceeds my expectations, including this beautiful salvia. The hummingbirds loved it from the day it arrived! So happy.————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This plant came in good condition and is doing well.—————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Can’t wait to see them grow- did not realize they grow so tall; beautiful blue!!—————————–It is a beautiful blue! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Black-and-Blue Salvia arrived in perfect condition—healthy and full of blooms. We wanted to add another of this plant as hummingbirds can’t get enough of these. Wilson’s doesn’t disappoint!——————————-
We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

I received 2 Black/blue salvia and they are doing beautifully. I also ordered and received a Daphe plant which is also doing well. I love every plant I have received from Wilson Brother Gardens. The plants have come promptly and healthy.————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Great place. Great plant. Great packaging. Will buy from again. —————– WBG Reply: Hi Jodi – Glad you were happy with the Black & Blue Salvia and hope you and your hummingbirds enjoy it for years to come! Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can do for you. We’re at your service. – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens