Anise Sage Salvia
by Gayle Fisher
Outside the sunroom, I have a patch of
Anise Sage (salvia guaronitica) planted.
While having a cup of coffee in the morning,
I love to see the hummingbirds come to
feed on this tall blue plant. This perennial
has deep blue flowers that bloom from
summer to late fall. Salvia needs full sun or
light shade and well drained, evenly moist
soil. Very rich soil can cause these tall plants
to flop. These are really tall plants; they can
grow up to 6 feet tall. They are also quite
drought tolerant once established.
You should plant Anise Salvia in early spring.
This sage combines beautiful flowers with
aromatic foliage and has the square stem of
the mint family. They form broad mounds
that are as large as they are tall. Give them
at least four feet to grow into. They enjoy a
feeding of balanced fertilizer in the spring.
You should mulch to keep the weeds at bay
and moisture even. They rarely need staking
but can lean toward the sun if they are in
the shade. You can cut this perennial to the
ground in the fall after a frost or wait until
spring if the naked stalks do not bother you.
A friend gave me a clump of this plant last
year, and I divided it into four sections. It
is now about four feet tall and three feet
around. Division is only necessary when the
center begins to look thin. I thought that
hummingbirds only saw red, but they must
be able to see this blue, because they come
every day going from one plant to another
sipping the sweet nectar.
Hummingbirds can fly up, down, right, left
and even upside down. When hovering,
20 MONROE LIFE SUMMER 2019