How to Care For Black & Blue Salvia

Black and blue salvia, or Salvia guaranitica "Black and Blue," is sometimes referred to as black and blue sage or anise-scented sage. This herbaceous, perennial, bush-like plant typically grows quickly to 3 feet tall with an equivalent width. Black and blue salvia produces showy, dark-blue blossoms with deep purple calyces that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10 and may survive in Zones 6 and 7, if deeply mulched through winter. In other areas, black and blue salvia grows as an annual.

Hand trowel
Starter fertilizer
Shovel
Mulch
Pruning shears
Balanced fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Plant black and blue salvia plants in locations with full sunlight and rich, well-draining soil. Bury the plants at the same depth of the container and space each of the plants 18 inches apart, if planting more than one.
- 2
  Soak the black and blue salvia well after transplanting to settle the soil around the roots. Apply a starter fertilize to each plant as directed. Water the plant deeply every week from spring to fall when rainfall is less than 1 inch. This encourages the roots to grow deeper.
- 3
  Add a 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the black and blue salvia to keep weeds from growing near the plant. Extend the mulch out 2 to 3 feet and replace it yearly as needed.
- 4
  Trim off any faded flowers to encourage more blooms. Allow the black and blue salvia to naturally die in the winter.
- 5
  Cut the black and blue salvia plant back to within 3 inches of ground level in early spring. Apply a balanced fertilizer as directed and water well.

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