Salvia officinalis

Common sage

Position: full sun
Soil: well-drained soil
Flowering period: May to June
Height: 0,8m
Foliage: evergreen
Hardiness: needs winter protection

Varieties

Salvia officinalis

Salvia officinalis, also known as common sage, is a versatile, evergreen shrub with pretty lilac-blue flowers, appearing in early summer and strongly, scented grey-green leaves which can be used for flavouring food.

This shrub does well as a container plant, but it is also suited for growing in a border alongside perennials and other ornamental plants.

Pruning

Pruning mature Salvia officinalis (common sage). Cut the stems back by 1/2 in spring after frost danger has passed. Prune again when flowering is finished. Remove the faded flowers.

salvia officinalis snoeien
Pruning Salvia officinalis New fresh growth

Harvesting

Common sage is evergreen. You can harvest year-round. Snipp off a few leaves of the top growth

Planting in open ground

A sage plant likes light, rich, well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy, add lots of compost and horticultural grit to the soil before planting to improve drainage.

Overwinter

Common sage is fully hardy but may need winter protection in very cold winters. Protect the sage plant against frost with a few layers of garden fleece.

How to grow and care for oregano. See origanum

Photos: Modeste Herwig/Greenfingersonline

Salvia officinalis