Emerging from dormancy in early spring, the 3' tall clumps of Salvia 'Black and Blue' are clothed in fuzzy green, spade-shaped leaves. From early June (NC) through October, the slowly spreading patches are topped with 1' spikes of narrow, long, snapdragon-like, luscious, deep blue flowers...a hummingbird favorite. Salvia 'Black and Blue' differs from other anise sage cultivars in that the calyx (the little cup that holds the open flower) is black instead of the usual green. In rich soil, a 5-year-old clump of Salvia 'Black and Blue' can spread to 6' wide.