A beautiful, evergreen culinary herb with soft, aromatic leaves splashed in shades of green, cream and purple. Tricolour sage is just as useful in the kitchen as common sage but also adds wonderful ornamental interest to pots, herb gardens and sunny borders. Its colourful foliage looks attractive throughout the year and is complemented by spikes of lilac-pink flowers in summer.
Both decorative and practical, this Mediterranean herb is easy to grow and drought tolerant once established. The fragrant leaves can be harvested throughout the year and are perfect for flavouring stuffing, roasted vegetables, pasta dishes and butter sauces.
Annual or Perennial: Evergreen perennial shrub
Type: Culinary herb, evergreen shrub
Style: Mediterranean, cottage garden, wildlife garden, kitchen garden, container planting
Months of Interest: January – December (flowers typically June – August)
Scientific Name: Salvia officinalis ‘Tricolor’
Common Name: Tricolour Sage
Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region. ‘Tricolor’ is a cultivated variety selected for its beautifully variegated foliage.
Light: Prefers a sunny, sheltered position and thrives in full sun, although it will tolerate light shade.
Water: Water regularly during its first growing season. Once established, sage is fairly drought tolerant and only requires occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Soil: Prefers well-drained soil and thrives in sandy or gritty conditions. Add horticultural grit to heavier soils or use a peat-free compost mixed with grit when growing in containers.
Feed: Sage requires very little feeding. A light application of a balanced fertiliser in spring is sufficient for container-grown plants.
Pruning Tips: Trim lightly after flowering to maintain a neat, bushy shape and prevent plants from becoming woody. Avoid cutting hard into old wood, as regrowth can be slow.
Wildlife Value: The nectar-rich flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, making it a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
Hardiness: Fully hardy in most parts of the UK and generally tolerates temperatures down to around -10°C.
Sprouts Top Tip: Harvest little and often to encourage fresh, bushy growth and pinch off flower spikes if you’re growing it primarily for its leaves.
Did You Know? The botanical name Salvia comes from the Latin salvere, meaning “to heal” or “to save”, reflecting sage’s long history as a medicinal and culinary herb.
