Black and Blue is an anise sage grown for electric cobalt flowers set in near-black calyces on dark stems, a combination hummingbirds hunt down from across the yard. In Birmingham it builds to 3 or 4 feet and blooms from summer until frost, with bees and butterflies joining in.

Plant it in sun to light afternoon shade in soil that holds some moisture yet drains. It usually overwinters here as a root-hardy perennial; mulch the crown in fall and cut it to the ground in early spring. Pinch young plants for a bushier habit.