It grows best in full sun along the coast or light shade inland in a fast-draining soil. Regular watering throughout the growing season. Prune plants to the ground in late winter and divide clumps every few years for added vigor. Fairly cold hardy, surviving temperatures into the 20's so useful as a perennial down into USDA Zone 8.

The Salvia guru, the late Richard Dufresne, noted that this attractive cultivar was introduced into the US trade in 1990 by Charles Cresson of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania from seed he received from Juan Patricio O'Farrell who collected it in the Parana (or Paraua) river basin in Argentina. He also suggests that this maybe the "alba" form of a plant once called Salvia melanocalyx, which he believes is the same as the cultivar now called 'Black & Blue'. The name Salvia comes from the name used by Pliny for a plant in the genus and comes from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning "to save" in reference to the long-believed healing properties of several Sage species. The specific epithet means "of Guara" in reference to this plant coming from Guara, Brazil. We first got this plant from Suncrest Nurseries and grew it from 2000 until 2008 when we replaced it with Salvia guaranitica 'Black & Blue'. 

The information about Salvia guaranitica 'Argentina Skies' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.