Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea' - Purple Sage [UK Grown Culinary Herbs]

Purple coloured culinary herb, freshly scented with aromatic sage. Hardy throughout most of the UK, down to -15°C.

This dwarf variety of sage will catch your eyes as well as our nose! Its gorgeous deep purple and contrasting green colouring looks great in your garden and on your plate. The soft texture of the oblong leaves only adds to the feast for the senses this plant brings. As well as looking great, you can use this sage in cooking, baking and even in teas; sage tea is said to be good for coughs and sore throats, so you can even try your own homegrown remedies! In summer, it may produce purple-blue flowers at the ends of its stems, attracting bees and complementing the purple hues of the foliage, and even once flowers have faded you can enjoy the attractive foliage year-round.

Scientific Name
Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea' (sage / healthy plant of the monastery storeroom, cultivar: purply)

Common Name
Culinary Sage, Common Sage, Garden Sage, Purple Sage, Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'

Origin
Native to the Mediterranean

Pruning Tips
Cut back flower spikes after flowering to keep the plant compact; when necessary, prune this plant in spring.

Wildlife Value
Provides nectar for butterflies, and also popular with bees, in particular long-tongues species

Positioning
Grow this sage in full sun, in a sheltered spot.

Water
Sage appreciates moisture, so make sure to keep an eye on it in dry weather (it will wilt when thirsty) and take care that it won't be in a winter puddle.

Soil
Choose a soil which will hold moisture but also drain well to keep this sage happy.

Food
Sage isn't too hungry as aplant, so in the ground it won't need extra feed. It will appreciate a potassium-rich fertiliser if growing in a container, though!

Pet-safe
Yes- no toxicity reported, though it's best for the plant and your pets if they don't nibble too much!

Sprouts Top Tips
Pruning annually helps encourage new growth in this plant- which is important as it's the newest growth that looks, tastes and smells best.

Extras
This plant is on the RHS' Plants for Pollinators list, and has won its Award of Garden Merit too.