Salvia officinalis
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.
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