Sage

This species of sage originally comes from the steppe regions of Central and Eastern Europe. It forms profusely flowering small clumps with straight upright stems. In flower beds, it looks best in groups. Traditionally, due to the identical flowering time, it is planted as a companion to roses. However, it will look just as good in mixed drought-loving steppe plantings with grasses. It lasts 7 days in a vase. The cultivar Caradonna stands out with a long flowering period and dark, almost black-purple stems with tiny purple flowers and dark purple bracts. If we cut it back after flowering, it will bloom again in late August and September.

This species of sage originates from the steppe regions of Central and Eastern Europe. It forms profusely flowering small clumps with straight, upright stems. In flower beds, it looks best in groups. It is traditionally planted as a companion to roses due to the matching flowering time. However, it looks equally good in mixed drought-tolerant steppe plantings with grasses. It is an excellent food source for bees. Lasts 7 days in a vase. Amethyst is an elegant variety with long stems and a pink flower color that is unusual for sages.

The Feathers series, which includes the Flamingo cultivar, represents a small breakthrough in sage breeding, primarily thanks to its unique, deeply cut leaves. Thus, this sage acts decoratively with its structure in flower beds even before the first buds appear. As the name Flamingo suggests, the flowers have a beautiful pink shade and bloom on the plant in large numbers throughout the summer. The original botanical species of sage come from dry and sunny steppe regions, and this garden beauty also retains a love for the sun and well-drained soils. It cannot stand waterlogging, but it handles summer droughts and poorer habitats excellently. In a garden composition, it stands out in group plantings on the front edge of perennial borders or in modern gravel beds. Its aromatic leaves and nectar-filled flowers attract beneficial insects, so the garden literally comes alive with it. If you cut back the spent inflorescences, you will promote the density of the clump, and the plant often reblooms, flowering again at the end of summer. Thanks to its resilience and frost hardiness down to -28 °C, it is a reliable component of Czech gardens. The flowers can also be used in a vase, where they form a delicate, romantic element.

*Salvia greggii*, often called autumn sage, is, in the case of the 'Dancing Dolls' cultivar, a tireless bloomer that will adorn your garden containers with flowers from late spring until freezing. Its homeland is the semi-desert regions of North America, so it loves sun, heat, and a drier, well-drained substrate. It grows as a low, densely branched subshrub that is easy to shape and maintain. Although cultivation is undemanding and suitable even for beginners, it is necessary to keep its limited frost hardiness in mind. In Czech conditions, this sage is best used as a dominant feature in pots on terraces, which you can easily move to a frost-free space for the winter, or it can be planted in very sheltered, sunny flower beds with high-quality drainage and a winter cover. The 'Dancing Dolls' variety brings playfulness and softness to plantings thanks to the unique coloration of its flowers, which alternate tones of pastel pink with creamy white. The tiny lipped flowers grow in abundance at the ends of upright stems and create a very airy impression. In addition to its aesthetic value, this plant is also useful – its strongly aromatic leaves and sweet flowers are edible and can be used in the kitchen as an original garnish for dishes. At the same time, it is a valuable honey-bearing plant that will reliably attract beneficial insects to your garden. The plant does not suffer from diseases or pests, so you can enjoy its beauty without the need for complex protection.

Sage 'Nachtvlinder' is a true jewel among portable container plants, which will win you over with its unusual color and endurance. The original species *Salvia greggii* comes from the sunny and dry semi-desert regions of Texas and Mexico, where it grows on rocky and poor soils. Thanks to this, it is very undemanding regarding watering here as well and loves full sun. In our conditions, we most often grow it as a portable plant in pots on terraces or balconies, because its frost resistance reaches only -12 °C. For the winter, we therefore recommend hiding it in a frost-free bright place, or carefully covering it in the warmest regions of the country. The 'Nachtvlinder' variety, whose name translates as night moth, will enchant you with velvety flowers in a deep shade of plum purple. Its huge advantage is the incredibly long flowering period, which starts in May and often ends only with the arrival of stronger frosts in November. The entire plant is strongly aromatic and releases a pleasant spicy scent when touched. Furthermore, the flowers are edible and sweet, so they are perfectly suited as an unconventional garnish for summer salads or desserts. It will also attract a large number of bees and other beneficial insects to your garden.

Meadow Sage occurs in our country primarily in warmer regions, especially in southern Moravia and northern and central Bohemia. It grows on sunny meadows, slopes, and along roadsides. The fragrant leaves form a basal rosette, from which several sparsely leafy, branched stems grow. The inflorescences consist of striking lipped flowers, which are a huge attraction for bees and bumblebees. Sweet Esmeralda has deep pink flowers.

Meadow Sage occurs in our country primarily in warmer regions, especially in southern Moravia and northern and central Bohemia. It grows on sunny meadows, slopes, and along roadsides. The fragrant leaves form a basal rosette, from which several sparsely leafy, branched stems grow. The inflorescences consist of striking lipped flowers, which are a huge attraction for bees and bumblebees. Twilight Serenade blooms violet-blue.

An ideal choice for brightening up a sunny terrace or balcony, where it will bring you joy with an untiring flood of flowers from late spring to November. The 'Cherry Lips' Sage forms compact, partially woody bushes that are literally dotted with bi-colored flowers in a playful combination of cherry red and white. Because the original botanical species Salvia greggii comes from semi-desert and steppe regions, this cultivar also requires full sun and excellently drained, sandy soil, where it is not at risk of waterlogging. Due to its lower frost resistance, we recommend growing it primarily in a pot and moving it to a cool, bright, frost-free room for the winter. If you decide to plant it in the open ground, choose the south-facing side by the house wall and carefully cover the plant with conifer branches for the winter. In addition to the visual experience, this sage also offers an olfactory and gustatory one. The leaves have a specific fruity-spicy aroma, and you can boldly use the sweet flowers in the kitchen as an edible decoration for dishes.

The 'Joy' Sage brings to plantings exactly what its name suggests – the joy of untiring blooming that lasts from late spring to autumn. This subshrub species differs from classic herbaceous sages by its woody base and requires specific conditions mimicking its homeland in the southwestern part of North America. Excellent drainage is crucial for successful cultivation, as the plant cannot tolerate winter waterlogging, and therefore it thrives in gravel beds or in containers with good water drainage. The 'Joy' variety will enchant you with its delicate shade of light pink flowers, which look very tender and airy. The leaves are tiny, stiff, and emit an intense fragrance when rubbed, making any sitting area nearby more pleasant. The plant grows to a height of around 40 to 60 centimeters and forms compact bushes, which should be pruned in the spring to maintain a dense shape. Although it is not intended for cutting into a vase, its value lies in its long-lasting visual effect and ability to attract beneficial insects to the garden.

Clary sage is the true queen among herbs, dominating every sunny flower bed with its impressive height and intoxicating fragrance. It originally comes from the Mediterranean and Central Asia regions, where it inhabits dry hillsides and rocky places; therefore, it will thrive best in your garden in well-drained, poorer soil in full sun. It forms massive basal rosettes of large, felt-like leaves, from which thick and upright stems grow up to a height of 120 cm. The inflorescence is composed of tiny florets, but the main ornament is the striking, purple to pinkish colored bracts that decorate the plant for long weeks from June to August. The whole plant is highly aromatic, and its spicy scent reminiscent of muscat wine attracts a large number of bees and bumblebees to the garden. It fits perfectly into country gardens, gravel beds, and as a solitary plant. The flowers are great for cutting into fresh summer bouquets, but also for drying, as they retain their color and fragrance for a long time.

The 'Amethyst Lips' Sage is a true perennial that adorns the garden or terrace for an incredibly long time, from May until the first frosts. The original species Salvia greggii originates from the semi-desert regions of Texas and Mexico, which endows it with a love for the sun and good drought tolerance. This cultivar will enchant you with its bi-colored flowers that combine dark purple and pure white. Interestingly, the color ratio can change depending on the air temperature and day length, so in the hot summer, the flowers can be almost entirely purple, while white increases as it cools down. The aromatic leaves smell of blackcurrant when rubbed, which also makes it a great sensory experience. In our conditions, it is primarily grown as a portable plant in containers, as its frost resistance only reaches down to -12 °C. It is an ideal choice for sunny terraces and balconies, where it will form a rich, compact bush in a pot, growing to a height of about half a meter. The flowers are a magnet for bees and bumblebees, they are edible, and thanks to their sturdy stems, they are also suitable for cutting into smaller bouquets.

The 'Hot Lips' Sage is a true chameleon among garden perennials and immediately attracts attention with its changing flowers. This shrubby sage, Latin name Salvia microphylla, comes from the mountainous regions of Mexico and the southern USA, where it grows on sunny and dry slopes. Its greatest advantage is its two-tone flowers combining pure white and a striking carmine red color. An interesting feature of this cultivar is the dependence of its coloring on the air temperature, when in hot summer days the flowers can turn red, while in cooler periods more white appears. The whole plant smells intensely and pleasantly when the leaves are rubbed, the aroma often resembling blackcurrant with a hint of mint. In the garden, it is mainly used as a portable plant in containers on terraces or balconies, as its frost resistance reaches only -12 °C. If you live in the warmest regions of the country, you can try planting it in the open ground in a protected location with well-drained soil and winter covering, but overwintering it in a frost-free room is a safer bet. It blooms tirelessly from June until the first frosts and is literally a magnet for bees, bumblebees, and other pollinators. The flowers are also edible, so you can use them to garnish summer salads or desserts, giving them not only color but also a delicately spicy taste.

The 'Viola's Darling' Sage is a charming subshrub that will bring a breath of the hot south to your terrace or balcony. The original species comes from the arid regions of Texas and Mexico, so this plant literally loves the sun and well-drained, sandy soil. Its biggest advantage is its record-breakingly long flowering period. From May until the first November frosts, it will delight you with a flood of tiny blossoms in a delicate lilac shade. The leaves are strongly aromatic and, just like the flowers, edible, so you can also use them in the kitchen to spice up summer salads or desserts. In our conditions, Salvia greggii is considered more of a portable plant, as it can only withstand frost down to -12 °C. It is therefore an ideal choice for growing in containers that you can move to a cool, bright room for the winter, or you can plant it in a protected, warm location in the warmest regions of the country with good winter covering.

Narrow-leaved sage is a fascinating perennial native to the southwestern USA and Mexico, which deceives with its appearance at first glance. With its narrow, needle-like leaves, it resembles an ornamental grass rather than a classic sage, which earned it the English name grass sage. This unique texture brings lightness and movement to flower beds, as the plant ripples beautifully even in a gentle breeze. Its true moment comes in the second half of summer and in autumn, when the tops of the stems are covered with tiny but intensely colored flowers. It is a plant made for sunny and dry habitats that would cause problems for other species. It thrives perfectly in poor, gravelly, and well-drained soils, where it is not at risk of root rot. Thanks to its drought tolerance and frost hardiness, it is an ideal choice for gravel gardens, steppe plantings, or xerophytic flower beds. Furthermore, it does not suffer from diseases or pests, making it a great plant even for beginning growers. The flowers are a magnet for bees and other pollinators, who appreciate a late source of nectar at a time when most other perennials are finishing their bloom. The plant is also suitable for cutting into a vase, where it creates a very delicate and airy impression.

Salvia Love & Wishes is a modern hybrid variety that has won the hearts of gardeners with its incredible vitality and long blooming period. The original botanical species from which this cross originates come from warmer regions, giving the plant a love for the sun and tolerance to summer heat. This salvia stands out with deep purple flowers that, in contrast with dark calyxes and stems as well as deep green leaves, create an unmissable spectacle in containers and flowerbeds. It reaches a respectable height of 80 to 100 cm and, thanks to its upright habit, adds the necessary structure and vertical accent to plantings. In our climatic conditions, it is grown as a so-called patio plant, because its frost resistance only reaches -5 °C. Therefore, it is an ideal choice for large terracotta pots on terraces or balconies, which you simply move to a frost-free, bright place for the winter. If you plant it in the open ground, it will act as a luxurious, massively blooming annual that will decorate the garden from June until the first frosts. The flowers are rich in nectar and act as a magnet for bees and bumblebees, who love to visit them. Love & Wishes is also suitable for cutting into summer bouquets, where its sturdy stems and striking color perfectly complement more delicate perennials.

The 'Flower Child' Sage is a charming subshrub that will bring a breath of Texan sun and wildness to your garden. The original species Salvia greggii originates from the dry and rocky areas of Texas and Mexico, which predetermines its growing requirements. It loves full sun and very well-drained, even sandy soil, where it is not at risk of waterlogging. At first glance, this cultivar attracts attention with a flood of tiny but striking flowers in a fuchsia-pink shade. Unlike regular sages, it blooms tirelessly from May until the first frosts in November, ensuring a colorful effect throughout the season. The leaves are tiny, fresh green, and when rubbed, they emit a pleasant spicy fragrance typical of this species. In our conditions, it behaves more like a short-lived perennial or a portable plant. Its frost resistance reaches approximately -12 °C, making it ideal for growing in containers on terraces or balconies. For the winter, you can move it to a cool, bright room. The flowers are a magnet for bees, bumblebees, and other pollinators, and they are also edible, so you can use them to garnish summer salads or desserts. Thanks to its compact growth of around 50 cm, it is also perfectly suited for smaller spaces.

The 'Royal Bumble' Sage is a true jewel among sages that will captivate you with its untiring flowering energy. The original species Salvia greggii comes from the dry and rocky hillsides of Texas and Mexico, where it has grown accustomed to the scorching sun and well-drained soil. As a result, it is an exceptionally drought-tolerant plant that literally loves a sunny location. It forms compact, semi-woody bushes that are strongly aromatic and release a pleasant spicy fragrance when touched. It is an ideal choice for those looking for a plant that is attractive not only to the human eye but also to bees and bumblebees, drawing them in magnetically with its flowers. The 'Royal Bumble' cultivar stands out with the deep carmine color of its flowers, which shine in contrast with its dark calyxes and stems. What is absolutely fascinating about this sage is its flowering period. If it gets enough sun and warmth, it can bloom from May until the first frosts in November. In our climatic conditions, however, its origin must be taken into account. It is frost-resistant down to approximately -12 °C, which is why it is mostly grown here as a portable plant in containers that you can move to a cool, bright room for the winter, or it can be planted in very protected warm locations with quality winter covering.

The 'Gletsjer' Sage is a charming, pure white blooming variety of baby sage, which originally comes from the mountainous regions of Mexico and the southern United States. Thanks to its origin, it loves the sun and well-drained soil, but in our conditions, it requires a little more care during the winter. Although it can withstand frost down to -12 °C, we recommend growing it primarily as a portable plant in containers that you can hide in a frost-free room for the winter, or plant it in a very protected, warm location with quality winter covering. The reward for this care will be an incredibly long flowering period, which starts in May and often ends only with the arrival of the first stronger frosts in November. This compact plant grows to a height of about half a meter and forms dense bushes with tiny, deep green leaves. These are strongly aromatic and release a pleasant fragrance when rubbed. The flowers attract a large number of bees and other beneficial insects, bringing every corner of the terrace or balcony to life. Because it is a sage, its flowers and leaves are edible and will serve perfectly as an unconventional garnish for summer salads or desserts. The 'Gletsjer' cultivar stands out with its elegance and the purity of its white color, which literally glows even at dusk.

The 'Lipstick' Sage is an incredibly attractive subshrub that you will fall in love with for its bi-colored flowers in a combination of cherry red and pure white. The original species Salvia greggii originates from the dry and rocky slopes on the border of Texas and Mexico, giving it a natural love for the sun and well-drained soil. This cultivar grows compactly and from May to November tirelessly blooms with a multitude of tiny but striking flowers that resemble small painted lips. The entire plant smells intensely of herbs and blackcurrant when touched, attracting not only human admirers but also bees and bumblebees. In our conditions, it is frost-resistant down to about -12 °C, so we recommend growing it rather as a portable plant in containers on the terrace or balcony, which you can store in a cool, bright room for the winter. If you decide to plant it in a flowerbed, choose the warmest, most protected spot by a south-facing wall and carefully cover it with conifer branches for the winter. The flowers are edible and perfectly garnish summer salads or desserts.