Emerging from dormancy in early spring, the 3' tall clumps 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. This selection of the hardy anise sage differs from the norm 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 can spread to 6' wide.