Sage
Introduction
Sage is a strong tasting herb commonly used as a key ingredient in stuffing and for flavouring meat, including sausages. The plant is capable of producing a stunning display of blue purple flowers that are loved by bees and butterflies.
Planting
- Sage can be grown from seed, or buy plants in the summer months
- Plant seeds outside when the weather warms in the spring
Harvesting
- The young leaves are best harvested through the summer months, although plants may retain their leaves through winter
(inside)
(outside)
(fresh)
(stored)
= jar, 
= freeze, 
= store
Varieties
There are many varieties available, from the commonly grown green leaved sage to those with purple leaves.
The plants grow quite tall between 50 centimetres and a metre, and they spread an equal amount too. With their colourful display of flowers, they make an ideal ornamental plant for a border, with the added advantage of culinary use.
The easy way for a gardener to organise their growing and discover gardening ideas.
Growing
Sage is a hardy plant, but the plant will grow best in a sunny and warm corner of a garden. Water as necessary to keep the soil moist in summer months.
Whilst hardy, sage plants may not last for many years. Severe winters and standing in wet ground does not suit the plant. To mitigate the risk of losing plants, it is possible to take cuttings in late summer and grow these on under the protection of a greenhouse or polytunnel until the following spring.
I really enjoy the strong taste of homemade sage, particularly for making stuffing at Christmas. What I did not appreciate before growing sage is how pretty the flowers are. Sage can provide a stunning display of flowers throughout summer, bringing bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects into a garden.