Salvia officinalis Labiatae

CULTIVATION A hardy evergreen perennial, sage has aromatic, velvety leaves that are grey, green, purple or variegated according to the variety and blue, pink or mauve, scented flowers from midsummer. Reaching 30-75cm (12-30in), it prefers light, well-drained soil and full sun. Propagate it by sowing seeds in spring or by taking tip cuttings from spring until autumn. Harvest the leaves all year round - although they are at their best during the spring - and the flowers from early summer. Grow sage as a garden, border, container, edging and hedging herb. Recommended varieties Spanish narrow-leaf sage, S. lavandulifolia; prostrate sage, S. prostrata; gold variegated sage, S.o. ‘Icterina’; broad-leafed sage, S.o. broad-leaved variety; purple or red sage, S.o. ‘Purpurascens’; green-pink- or white-leaved sage, S.o. ‘Tricolor’ with a mild flavour.