Salvia discolor

Salvia discolor, also known as Blackcurrant Sage or Andean Sage, is a lovely little evergreen perennial from Peru that is unusual, floriferous, and delightfully aromatic. It covers its stems and the undersides of its thick leaves with silver bristles, enticing with their delicious blackcurrant fragrance. It produces spikes of deep indigo-blue flowers, almost black, nestled in a silver-jade calyx. Moderately hardy, this unusual plant grows quickly and flowers for a long period. It thrives in light, fertile, well-drained soil that is moist but not waterlogged, in a sunny or partially shaded site. It can be grown both in borders and in a large pot.

Salvia discolor is sometimes called Peruvian Sage, or Bicoloured Sage due to its contrasting midnight blue and silver flowering. This perennial belongs to the Lamiaceae or Labiatae family. It originates from a small high-altitude station in the Peruvian Andes and is a rare aromatic species. The plant quickly forms a beautiful clump of semi-woody stems bearing large ovate leaves, green on the upper surface and covered with silver fuzz on the undersides. It reaches a height of 50 to 60 cm (23.6 in) with a diameter of about 50 cm (19.7 in). Depending on the growing conditions, it can sometimes grow to over 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in height, like a small climber. The nectar-rich and honey-scented flowering period is particularly long, starting in May and lasting until November, depending on the climate. The floral spikes are upright and have square-sectioned stems bearing paired flowers that are striking due to the contrast of the almost black corolla surrounded at the base by a silver-green sheathing calyx. The flowers consist of two elongated lips, indigo in color - a shade that truly attracts and captures attention in the garden. The evergreen foliage is composed of thick, aromatic, crenate-edged leaves measuring 12 cm (4.7 in) in length, slightly sticky, releasing a delightful essential oil with a fragrance reminiscent of blackcurrant when warmed. Its hardiness does not exceed -10°C (14°F) when kept in a protected position and dry soil during winter.

In its natural habitat, Blackcurrant Sage grows in cool, well-drained soils under a mountain climate. In a cool rock garden it can be paired with small alpine perennials such as gentians, saxifrages, wall bellflowers (Campanula portenschlagiana), Arenaria balearica, or the surprising small perennial geranium with black foliage, Geranium sessiliflorum 'Nigricans'. Gauras, tall sedums (Sedum 'Matrona'), and shrubby potentillas will also create a charming display when planted alongside it. On the terrace, it can be grown in a large pot for easy winter protection against severe frost.