Garden Sage

Garden Sage, also called Common Sage, is the common names for Salivia officinalis, a perennial evergreen subshrub. The garden sage is known for its uses, both medicinal and culinary in nature. There are also a number of varieties of this particular plant.

Garden sage will typically need full sun except in warmer areas where part shade will be needed. Flowering will occur in mid-summer, with harvesting best soon before and after blooming although it can be done any time. Once leaves are harvested, they can be dried in a well-ventilated room on screens as long as it is away from direct sunlight.

Pests are not the greatest worry to this plant; rather it is excessive water and lack of sunlight. Pruning is suggested after flowering to help keep this plant in an attractive shape and as lack of pruning may cause problems to this plant later on.

A loamy-clay soil is what garden sage best grows in, but this hardy plant can also tolerate other soils. Nitrogen rich soils are what garden sage loves, helpful if one does not have a loamy-clay soil. The garden sage also does well being grown in a container.