Anise sage 'Black and Blue'

Questions about anise sage 'Black and Blue'

Does anise sage 'Black and Blue' need sun or shade?

Anise sage 'Black and Blue' grows in full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun a day) and part sun (4 to 6 hours of sun, including some afternoon sun).

It wants soil that stays evenly moist, of average fertility, and a good soak in dry spells. Once settled in, it stands drought.

What zones does anise sage 'Black and Blue' grow in?

USDA zones 7 to 10. It is hardy to zone 7, which means it survives winter nights down to about 10 °F (−12 °C).

Gardening in Canada? Use the USDA zone for your town: Canada's own zone map uses different numbers.

When does anise sage 'Black and Blue' flower in my zone?

In zone 5 it flowers late June to mid October. As a summer flower it moves about half a week for every zone: earlier where it is warmer.

Worked out from Hopkins' bioclimatic law: spring arrives about four days later for each degree of latitude north, and one zone is roughly two degrees. A warm spring or a cold one moves any garden two weeks either way.

How far apart should anise sage 'Black and Blue' be planted?

2½ ft (75 cm) apart, from the middle of one plant to the middle of the next. That is a little closer than its full width of 3 ft (90 cm), so a group knits into one patch.

It grows 4 ft (120 cm) tall. Give it the full distance from anything taller, or it will lean out towards the light.

How many anise sage 'Black and Blue' plants do I need?

At 2½ ft apart, set out in staggered rows:

• 2 to fill 10 square feet (about 1 m²)
• 5 for a single row 10 ft (3 m) long
• 6 to fill a 4 × 8 ft bed on its own

In a mixed border, plant it as a group of three or five, with a second group further along in the other number.

In the bed above, the planner used one in one group.

Is anise sage 'Black and Blue' poisonous to dogs and cats?

No toxicity is recorded for dogs, cats, horses or people, according to NC State Extension.

"Not toxic" is not "edible": a pet that eats a lot of any plant can be sick.

Is there a native plant like anise sage 'Black and Blue'?

Anise sage 'Black and Blue' comes from Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. These North American natives come closest to doing its job:

• Garden phlox 'Jeana': the same job in a bed; 6 in narrower, flowers mid July to mid September.
• New England aster: the same job in a bed and the same size; flowers early September to mid October, purple or pink, not blue.
• Swamp milkweed: the same job in a bed; 6 in narrower, flowers early July to early August.

Matched the way the planner's Swap button matches plants: the same job in a bed, then size, then flowering time.

Do deer eat anise sage 'Black and Blue'?

Mostly not. NC State lists it as resistant to deer. No plant is proof against a hungry deer in a hard winter, but this one is low on the menu.

Will anise sage 'Black and Blue' spread?

It spreads sideways, by runners or roots; the risk of it taking over is moderate. Spreads by underground runners and can crowd its neighbours. Dig out the edges or divide every 2 to 3 years.

What flowers after anise sage 'Black and Blue'?

Anise sage 'Black and Blue' is over by mid October. These start as it finishes and carry the same spot on, so it never goes flat:

• Bodnant viburnum 'Dawn': from early November to late December, 10 ft tall.
• Mahonia 'Charity': from early November to late December, 10 ft tall.
• Common witch hazel: from mid October to late November, 15 ft tall.

What does anise sage 'Black and Blue' look like in winter?

Anise sage 'Black and Blue' dies down to the ground and there is nothing to see until spring. The old stems can be cut in autumn, or left until spring as shelter for overwintering insects.

Is anise sage 'Black and Blue' good for bees and butterflies?

Anise sage 'Black and Blue' is visited by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.