"Sage is so well known these days, for its wonderful taste and its beautiful cottage garden flowers which are a magnet for bees and butterflies. Sage has also been held in high esteem, for centuries, for its powerful healing properties. " Jekka McVicar
Salvia officinalis, Sage, also known as common sage and garden sage,
is a hardy, evergreen perennial plant with green, textured,
highly aromatic leaves and mauve/blue flowers in summer.
This is the best-known sage for culinary use.
Salvia officinalis, Common Sage
Salvia officinalis 'Rosea',
Pink Flowering Sage
'How can a man grow old who has sage in his garden?'
Ancient Proverb.
The name Salvia is derived from the Latin, salveo, which means 'I save' or 'I heal'.
Sage was used by the Greeks to heal ulcers, consumption and snake bites, whilst the Romans thought it a sacred herb, considering it to be good for the brain, the senses and the memory. Sage was also used as a gargle, a mouthwash and a toothpaste.In the seventeenth century, the Chinese would trade three chests of china tea for one of sage leaves.
Common Sage is predominantly a Mediterranean herb,
but is sufficiently hardy to withstand an ordinary winter without protection, provided it's planted in well drained soil, and the site
is as warm and dry as possible.
Propagation
Seed: Common sage can be grown successfully from seed in spring. Sow into prepared seed or plug trays using a standard seed compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark and cover with perlite. If starting off under protection in early spring, temperatures of 15-21°C (60-70°F) will benefit germination, which usually takes 2-3 weeks. Once frosts are over, pot up or plant out at a distance of 45-60cm apart.
Cuttings: Variegated sage is best grown from cuttings. Use a standard seed compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark. Take softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer from the strong new growth. Rooting takes about 4 weeks in summer.
Garden Cultivation: Plant sage in well drained, not acid, soil in a warm, dry site. The leaf flavour can vary according to the richness and dampness of the soil. For their first winter, young sage plants are best protected with horticultural fleece or a mulch, but more mature plants should survive most ordinary winters.
To maintain a bushy sage, prune in spring which will also encourage young shoots for strong flavour. Prune again after flowering in late summer. Mature plants can be pruned hard in spring after some cuttings have been taken as insurance. Never prune in autumn though, as this can kill the plant. Sage is prone to becoming woody, so replace the plant every 4-5 years.
Salvia officinalis Purpurascens AGM,
Purple Sage, Red Sage
Evergreen sage leaves can be harvested all year round. Even the flower, which tastes similar to the leaf but with a hint of sweetness, can be picked and added to rice, meat, duck and stir-fry dishes.
Container Growing: Sage will grow happily in a container, especially useful if you want to place it near to the kitchen. Use a soil based compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark for all varieties. Feed after flowering and don't over-water.
Harvesting: Sage is an evergreen, so leaves can be picked throughout the year. In spring, before flowering, the leaves have a mild warm flavour. After flowering, the leaves have a stronger, tannic flavour. Flowers can be harvested throughout summer.
Salvia officinalis broad-leaved
Broad Leaved Sage
Uses:
Culinary: Sage is a strong culinary herb. Used with discretion, it adds a lovely flavour, aids the digestion of fatty food and, being antiseptic, kills off any bugs in the meat as it cooks. It has long been used in sausages because of its preservative qualities. Sage also makes a delicious herb butter, jelly, or vinegar. The flowers have a flavour similar to the leaves, but with a slight sweetness, so making an ideal accompaniment to rice, meat, duck and stir-fry dishes.
Medicinal: Sage is a digestive, antispasmodic and carminative herb. It eases flatulence and is a useful antioxidant. Sage tea, made from 3-4 leaves in just boiled water, can be used to alleviate an upset stomach.
How to Order:
We currently grow over ten varieties of Salvia officinalis; some of our favourites are listed below.
To find more varieties (including aromatic Sage varieties), use Search.
