Horticulture/Salvia guaranitica
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| Anise Sage | |
|---|---|
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| Binomial: | Salvia guarnitica |
| Type: | Herbaceous perennial |
| Light requirements: | Full sun to light shade |
| Water requirements: | Maintain adequate moisture to prevent wilting. |
| Soil requirements: | Well-drained, deep soils |
| USDA Hardiness Zone: | 8-10, to zone 6 for some cultivars. |
| Pest issues: | rare |
| Disease issues: | rare |
| Bloom season: | Midsummer to freeze |
| Weediness: | Aggressive spreader |
| Pollination: | Insects, attracts hummingbirds |
| Root: | Large tubers |
| Toxicity and edibility: | Edible |
Salvia guaranitica (Anise-scented sage or Hummingbird sage) is a species of sage native to South America, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
[edit] Description
It is a perennial or subshrub growing 1-3 m tall. The leaves are ovate, 4-13 cm long, mint green, and anise-scented when crushed. The inflorescences are up to 25 cm long, with each flower 3-5 cm long in varying shades of blue, with a dark basal calyx 10-12 mm long. Flowering begins in mid summer and continues through late autumn.
Salvia guaranitica is only a perennial in USDA Zones 7 to 10, but can be perennial in cooler climates, if planted in sunny microclimate.
[edit] Growing conditions
Deep, well-drained soils with adequate irrigation during drought periods. Water needs are low. In colder climates, the plant should be sited against a building or masonry.
[edit] Varieties
Numerous cultivars have been selected, including:
- 'Argentine Skies' (pale blue flowers)
- 'Black and Blue' (very dark violet blue calyx)
- 'Blue Enigma' (green calyx and blue flowers
- 'Blue Ensign' (large blue flowers)
- 'Purple Splendor' (large purple flowers)
[edit] Uses
Salvia guaranitica is a popular ornamental plant in mild areas where the temperature does not fall below −12 °C. It is most often planted in order to attract hummingbirds.
[edit] Maintenance
Prune to the ground in early spring, before new stems grow. Can be sheared to encourage bushiness. Staking is sometimes necessary. Excellent container plant.
[edit] Propagation
Division or stem cuttings. In colder climates, it can be dug in early autumn and kept indoors either in a pot or in vermiculite for dormant storage. It's hardiness can be greatly extended if planted against a building or masonry to maintain higher winter soil temperatures.
[edit] Pests and diseases
See Salvia for a list of pests and diseases affecting the genus Salvia.
[edit] References
- Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk (1997). The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. DK Publishing, 929.
- Staff of the L. H. Bailey Hortorium (1976). Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada. Cornell University Press, 999.
- A Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden, Betsy Clebsch, page 90-92
