About

Salvia officinalis (ex. Prospect Cottage) is a perennial evergreen subshrub noted for its grey‑green, softly hairy leaves and blue to purplish flowers. It has woody stems and a long history of culinary use, while many cultivars display variegated or coloured foliage. The plant belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, and to the genus Salvia. In the UK it flowers June to September.

About the genus

Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the sage family Lamiaceae, with just under 1,000 species of shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals. Within the Lamiaceae, Salvia is part of the tribe Mentheae within the subfamily Nepetoideae. One of several genera commonly referred to as sage, it includes two widely used herbs, Salvia officinalis and Salvia rosmarinus.

Wikipedia contributors, "Salvia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia

In the garden

Salvia officinalis (ex. Prospect Cottage) belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, and comes from the Mediterranean region; gardeners prize it both for cooking and for foliage contrast in the border. Typical plants of the species produce woody stems and a rounded habit often reaching around 60 cm, with grey‑green leaves that are softly hairy and flowers in shades of blue to purple. Select a sunny, sheltered site with free‑draining soil to mirror its Mediterranean origins; avoid waterlogged ground. Good drainage and exposure to sun reduce the risk of stem dieback and keep the leaves clean. Plants establish well in beds, gravelly borders or containers where roots cannot sit in heavy moisture. Uses in the UK garden include the herb plot, the front of a mixed border and container culture where leaves are within easy reach for harvesting. Many cultivated forms offer variegation or coloured foliage for additional winter interest. The soft grey‑green leaves are the part most commonly harvested for culinary use, and the flowering period in the UK runs June to September, so cut flowers only if you want seed or to lighten the plant after bloom.

More in the Salvia genus

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  Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
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  Rosmarinus prostratus
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  Salvia 'Black and Blue'
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  Salvia 'Ostfriesland'
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  Salvia 'Rose Queen'
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  Salvia 'Royal Bumble'
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  Salvia bicolorSage
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  Salvia forskaohleiSage