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Salvia guaranitica is one of the most architecturally dramatic plants you can grow in a UK garden — tall, upright stems reaching 100–150cm, carrying deep tubular flowers in blues and purples from July right through to the first frosts. This late-season flowering is one of its most valuable qualities: guaranitica comes into its own exactly when most summer plants are fading, providing colour and exceptional pollinator forage in August, September and October.
The species originates from South America — Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina — where it grows in warm, humid conditions. This background means it’s not reliably hardy in most UK gardens. It will not survive frost outdoors without protection and should be treated as tender: take cuttings in August or move pot-grown plants under cover before the first frost.
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ — The definitive guaranitica — deep navy calyces with rich blue flowers that create an almost iridescent jewel-like effect in late summer light. RHS Award of Garden Merit. 100–120cm. The contrast between the near-black calyx and electric blue flower is unlike anything else in the summer border.
Salvia guaranitica ‘Argentine Skies’ — A Middleton Nurseries exclusive, introduced at Chelsea 2026. Rare soft sky-blue flowers — a colour genuinely unusual in a species that typically runs to deep navy and cobalt. 100–120cm. Available exclusively at Middleton Nurseries. See our full guide on ‘Argentine Skies’.
Salvia guaranitica ‘Blue Enigma’ — Pure, unfading clear blue — no violet tone, no purple tinge. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Slightly more compact than ‘Black and Blue’ at 90–100cm. A reliable performer even in less-than-ideal UK conditions.
Salvia ‘Amistad’ — Large rich purple flowers on very vigorous plants reaching 120cm+. Flowers from late May to October — one of the longest seasons of any salvia. Often oversold as hardy when it is tender. Take cuttings in August for reliable overwintering.
Full sun in a sheltered position — against a south or west-facing wall where possible. Free-draining soil; improve clay with sharp grit before planting. Water regularly and feed fortnightly with high-potash liquid fertiliser May to September. Unlike drought-tolerant nemorosa, guaranitica benefits from consistent moisture through the growing season.
Tender (RHS H2) — take semi-ripe cuttings in August for the most reliable overwintering, or move pot-grown plants under cover before the first frost. See our overwintering guide and cuttings guide.
Browse all Salvia guaranitica varieties at Middleton Nurseries
No — Salvia guaranitica is tender (RHS H2) and will not survive frost outdoors in most UK gardens. Take semi-ripe cuttings in August and overwinter in a frost-free space, or move pot-grown plants under cover before the first frost. See our overwintering guide.
July to the first frosts — peak flowering August to October. This late season is one of its most valuable characteristics, providing colour and pollinator forage when most summer plants have finished.
The long tubular flowers are specifically matched to the tongue length of the garden bumblebee Bombus hortorum — the longest-tongued UK bumblebee. This makes guaranitica one of the most important late-season plants for long-tongued bumblebees, providing rich nectar in September and October when very few other plants are still flowering.
‘Black and Blue’ is the classic — deep navy calyces with electric blue flowers. ‘Blue Enigma’ is a pure, unfading clear blue without any violet tone. ‘Argentine Skies’ (Middleton exclusive) is a rare soft sky-blue — a completely different, cooler, airier colour. All three are outstanding, each with a distinct character.
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