Sporting a black stem and black calyces, a single tall flower spike of Salvia guaranitica (Blue anise sage) appeared in the Southern side path earlier in the week. Today several of its tubular flowers are open and one can easily appreciate its cultivar name, ‘Black and Blue.’ If the pattern of frequent rains continues, there should be plenty more of this herbaceous perennial coming along for hummingbirds and butterflies to enjoy all summer.
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’, Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) and Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ and Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
And here is a look at it from the other direction facing a sea of white rose campion along the slate path.
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ and Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion)
pbmGarden 
I love the shape of salvia flowers, and in this colour, with the black stem, they look quite remarkable! 🙂
I agree, it’s very striking.
I love this Salvia, does it need a lot of water? I have Indigo Spires which looks similar but not with such wonderful black stems. Christina
I like it too. It is supposed to be tolerant of dry conditions but in my garden it does better with rain. I never water it so may die back some in summer, but it makes another show in fall.
Salvias are all wonderful and that is a true beauty.
I find they spread too easily sometimes in my garden, but not this one so far.
Pingback: Salvia ‘Black and Blue’ « Petals and Wings