Sage

Common sage is an indispensable perennial for any lover of herb gardens and naturalistic planting. Its native home is the dry Mediterranean region, where it naturally colonizes sunny rocky slopes. It requires the same conditions here, so give it full sun and well-drained, rather poor soil. The established potted seedling you receive will quickly bulk up after planting, forming a vigorous shrub that easily tolerates winter frosts down to minus twenty-three degrees. The Maxima cultivar is exceptional for its velvety, grayish-green leaves, which grow up to three times larger than those of standard varieties. We grow it primarily for these massive, highly aromatic leaves, which have a wide range of uses in the kitchen and in tea blends. During June and July, it produces violet-blue flowers that draw in pollinators. However, if you want to retain maximum aroma in the foliage, we recommend pinching out the emerging flowers. The sturdy stems are brilliant for cutting into summer bouquets, lasting around a week, or drying for winter floristry displays.

Grower's Friend common sage is an aromatic and extremely hardy perennial that is a must-have for any herb garden. Its native habitat is the sunny, dry slopes of the Mediterranean, which is why it thrives best in direct sun and well-drained, rather poor soil. You will receive a beautifully established seedling in a pot, ready to be planted straight into the border, where it will quickly form a compact bush reaching about half a meter in height. It is a completely low-maintenance plant that is free from diseases and pests, effortlessly handles frosts down to minus twenty-three degrees, and is easy for complete beginners to care for. During June and July, it blooms with tiny violet-blue flowers that act as an absolute magnet for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies. It fits perfectly into drought-tolerant gravel beds, where it naturally complements ornamental grasses and other herbs. The flowers on sturdy stems are excellent for cutting into summer bouquets and for drying for floristry. The Grower's Friend variety stands out with its velvety, grayish-green leaves that have an exceptionally high concentration of essential oils. These edible leaves are fantastic in the kitchen and in homemade tea blends. If you want to maximize the aromatic strength of the leaves, we recommend regularly removing the emerging flowers.