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Salvia officinalis (Sage)

Other names: Common sage, Common garden sage , Sauge, Small leaf sage, Garden sage, Salvia officinalis 'Greek'

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Species
S. officinalis is a bushy, spreading, evergreen subshrub with aromatic, edible, oblong to ovate, woolly, grey-green leaves and racemes of whorled, tubular, two-lipped, violet-blue flowers in early summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.8 m 1 m 2-5 years
2 ft 3 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Avoid cold, damp conditions and excessive winter wet.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, City, Drought Tolerant, Flavouring food and drinks, Foliage only

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2, 2, 3

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Low
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Moderate/Medium
Low Desert = Moderate/Medium

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Cushion or Mound Forming, Spreading

Native to

Mediterranean, Northern Africa

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Foliage is aromatic (sage).

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 9.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings

Pests

Slugs

Snails

Leafhoppers

Diseases

Generally disease free.

Prune evergreen shrubs lightly (only if needed)

Take softwood cuttings

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Check for waterlogging during winter (optional)

Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Salvia

Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Salvia officinalis with other Shoot members

Re: Sage advice.....

Carol
546 0
I would cut off anything that looks ugly and anything that is in the way. It's not going to do it any harm at this point of the year.
Posted: Monday 29th of August 2016 10:28 AM

Sage advice.....

Louise Jefferies
546 1
My sage is starting to look a bit ugly with some yellowing leaves and speckled white all over from the leaf hoppers. Can I cut it back now or should I leave it till spring? How much can I chop it back by? Many thanks.. LMMJ
Posted: Saturday 27th of August 2016 10:42 AM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 03:32 PM

Re: How to prune

Garden Designer
467 0
Hi Mary,

Did you have a specific question to add to the forum?

Thanks,
Tania from Shoot
Posted: Friday 27th of May 2016 08:22 AM

How to prune

Shoot User
467 1
How to prune
Posted: Monday 23rd of May 2016 06:53 AM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 03:28 PM

Sage oil

Nicola
828 0
This plant is used in the Perfume garden by Laurie Chetwood and Patrick Collins in their Perfume garden for Chelsea Flower Show 2009. They say 'Sage oil is made from steam distillation of dried leaves. Gives a spicy + herbaceous fragrance to perfumes'
Posted: Saturday 9th of May 2009 11:46 AM Last reply: Thursday 13th of March 2025 05:51 PM
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