All About Sage

To the ancients, including the Arabians, sage was associated with immortality, or at least longevity, and it was credited with increasing mental capacity.

Sage [ Salvia officinalis ] is a hardy, perennial shrub-like herb with woody stems. The leaves have a “pebbly” texture, with veins that appear puckered. Sage leaves are grayish green in color, branching out in short stems from the base of the plant.

Flowering time is June for most cultivars. Sage can grow to a height of 30 inches, and requires full sun. The soil should be slightly alkaline, and kept on the dry side as established plants require little moisture. Rainfall is more than adequate even in the hottest summers.

Common garden sage has a pronounced lemony, camphor-like fragrance. Fresh sage leaves have a milder flavor than the dried leaves, so you’ll need twice as much of the fresh when cooking with sage.

Harvesting and Storage:…