Introducing...
Culinary salvias
Botanical name: Salvia officinalis, Salvia rosmarinus
Common name: Sage, rosemary
Sage (Salvia officinalis) and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) are grown as herbs for cooking. The leaves are aromatic to touch and tasty when used in stuffings and Mediterranean dishes. Both are readily available to buy as plants in garden centres and supermarkets.
Looks
Culinary sages and rosemary are shrubby plants with foliage and flowers that look good in borders and containers, as well as in a herb garden. If not cut regularly, older stems will flower.
Likes
These herbs enjoy free-draining soil in a sunny position. Purple-leaved forms of sage need the brightest spot to fully develop their colour. Plants are also more aromatic in full sun.
Dislikes
Culinary salvias grow and flower poorly in shade, and dislike wet, heavy soils.
Did you know?
To store leaves for winter use, harvest sprigs on a dry day in summer. Lay the leaves out in an airy spot in the house or shed to dry fully, before storing in a screw-top jar.
Growing guide
How to grow salvias
All the information you'll need to grow & care for salvias in your garden – including advice on growing conditions, planting, feeding, watering, deadheading, pruning, overwintering and propagating.
Sages and rosemary we recommend
Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' (v)
sage 'Tricolor'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea'
purple sage
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Salvia rosmarinus 'Foxtail' (Ro)
rosemary 'Foxtail'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' (v)
sage 'Tricolor'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea'
purple sage
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Salvia rosmarinus 'Foxtail' (Ro)
rosemary 'Foxtail'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Useful advice
Herbs in containers
Herbs: growing
Herbs: propagating
Rosemary
Sage
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