Anise-Scented Sage

Growing

If you enjoy the scent of anise, you will love crushing the mint green leaves of this woody subshrub to release their fragrance. When establishing this plant, you can start from seed, cuttings, or division, and it performs beautifully in containers or directly in the landscape. Because it spreads via rhizomes and runners, it can form large, lush patches over time. To keep the shrub from becoming too unruly, use regular pruning to manage its size and encourage stronger lateral branching.

This plant is a magnet for pollinators, especially hummingbirds, and provides a stunning display of blue, violet, or purple blooms depending on the cultivar you choose. To keep the flowering season vibrant, practice deadheading by removing spent blossoms. This simple maintenance helps the plant continue producing flowers throughout the warm season.

When planting, ensure your soil is well-draining and not waterlogged, as this helps prevent issues with the roots. While the plant is quite hardy and can survive light frost, it thrives best when the soil is kept consistently moist with regular watering. If you are looking for a specific color, seek out cultivars like 'Blue Enigma' for a pure blue hue or 'Black and Blue' for dark violet calyxes.