Sage

Salvia officinalis

Spikes of lilac-blue flowers in early to mid-summer and grey-green aromatic leaves. Sage's handsome foliage makes a fabulous and robust edge for a sunny herb garden or mini potager. Collected before the plant has flowered and freshly chopped, the aromatic leaves are valuable for flavouring stuffings, herbal teas and meat dishes.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: light, fertile, moist, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast
• Flowering period: May to July
• Flower colour: lilac-blue
• Other features: the leaves can be used fresh or dried to make stuffings, herb teas and herb butter
• Hardiness: fully hardy

• Garden care: To encourage a plentiful supply of young red-purple foliage gather the leaves regularly and prune lightly in July after flowering
• Goes well with: Origanum vulgare 'Aureum Crispum', Melissa officinalis, Thymus serphyllum, Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpurescens', Ocimum sativum, Petroselium crispum