Blue Anise Sage
Salvia Guaranitica

Description:  Blue Anise Sage is an herbaceous perennial that bears one of the largest flowers of the Salvias.  This three-foot-tall upright plant has dark green foliage that adds a fine texture to the garden.  Its rich dark-blue to violet-blue flowers appear throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons.  For the best bloom, cut to ground level each fall.

History: Blue anise sage, salvia guaranitica, was described and named in 1833.  The plant comes from a wide geographic region in South America, including Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.

Propagation: Cuttings of blue anise sage are fairly easy to root.  Take fast-growing tip cuttings in spring or semi-hard tip cuttings in summer or fall.  Results are better with bottom heat.

Growing Conditions:  Blue anise sage needs partial shade to full sun and moderate water in full sun in the summer.

Pests and Diseases: Spittlebug and spider mites.

Other names:  Sapphire Sage, Sapphire Salvia, Brazilian sage, Giant Blue Sage, Anise Sage.

Medicinal Uses: Blue anise sage has no medicinal application.

Other uses:  Blue anise sage is a hummingbird magnet.  This plant proves the point that plants don't have to be red to attract hummingbirds.