How to Select Sage Plants

Sage is a small perennial shrub used as an herb, flower and ground cover. Common sage is part of the Salvia genus related to mint plants. This versatile plant native to the Mediterranean region has over 750 species around the world. Choose from popular sage varieties to grow as an ornamental and useful herb.

Things You'll Need

• Sage Seeds
• Sage Bedding Plants

Instructions

1. 

   Find a sunny place in the garden for sage. Sage thrives in sun and well-drained soil. This easy-care herb grows in average soil. Most varieties do not need fertile or loamy ground. Most sages are perennials in mild climates. Grow them as annuals or indoor container plants in cold climates.

2. 

   Create a sage herb garden. Use culinary sages such as common, clary and golden sage. Pineapple sage has a mild pineapple flavor and beautiful tube-shaped flowers. Plant sage with other herbs for a kitchen mixed-herb garden. Rosemary, thyme, marjoram and basil grow well with sage.

3. 

   Explore unique sages to enhance existing shrub and flower gardens. The aromatic shrubs offer attractive foliage and seasonal flowers. Use purple-hued sage for dramatic effect in an annual flower garden. Plant shorter variegated sages that grow up to two feet tall. They have leaves with two to three colors. Tricolor sage offers showy white, green and yellow foliage.

4. 

   Grow sun-loving ground cover with sage. Use dwarf or low growing sages like rose queen or Santa Barbara. Rose queen is about a foot tall and enjoys hot sun. It is heat- and drought-tolerant. Santa Barbara sage is about two feet tall by three to four feet wide. Its purple flowers grow on spikes above the foliage.

5. 

   Set off a walkway with sage edging or borders. Choose varieties like dwarf silver Leaf for an eye-catching edging. This unique herb is about a foot tall and a foot wide. Its foliage is silvery and topped by bright blue flowers. The popular autumn sage grows about two feet tall and two feet wide. This sage has dark green leaves with a minty smell and flowers in varying colors from pink and deep red.

Tips & Warnings

• Brush sage plants with a hand or foot to release their herbal fragrance. Pinch back young sage branches to encourage bushy growth.

• The striking Chaparral sage grows up to four feet tall and six feet wide. This grey-green plant with violet flower spikes is excellent for desert gardens or xeriscapes.

• Avoid using toxic pest controls or fertilizers on herbs or other food plants.

• Sage is a common plant name. Many plants including wild brush are called sage. Be sure you are planting sage from the Salvia genus for herbal and flowering ornamental gardens.