Sage Usefulness & Health Benefits
Spice up your food and your memory with sage. If your grandmother spiked your tea with sage and told you to drink up, she probably knew this secret that was first discovered some 400 years ago by herbalists. They wrote in 1597 that sage quickens the nerves and memory.
Now researchers from the northern English universities of Newcastle and Northumbria have confirmed it scientifically: Healthy, young adults who took sage oil extract in capsule form in the medically-controlled study experienced a marked improvement in their memory capabilities and performed significantly better on a word recall test than those who took a placebo.
And that's not all. Researchers at the Universities' Medicinal Plant Research Center concluded that sage can possibly help Alzheimer's patients by protecting a key chemical that the disease destroys. "This research does have serious implications for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, as it will inform drug research and development," lead researcher Nicola Tildesley said in a statement.
This proves how valuable the work by old herbalists is, and they shouldn't just be ignored because they were writing centuries ago. Best of all, sage has no side effects. The next step: Researchers will try to figure out how sage actually boosts the memory, especially in Alzheimer's patients. The findings were published in the British journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior.
Sage is a powerful garden herb many uses. It is widely used around the world for medicinal and culinary purposes. Find additional information on the use and benefits of sage, its usefulness, variety, health and medicinal properties.
Garden Sage Varieties
Sage's usefulness goes beyond the confines of the medicine cabinet and the kitchen. Because of its aromatic oils, it is frequently used in making soaps and perfumes. Native Americans utilize sage for spiritual purification ceremonies in the form of smudge sticks.
These are branches of white sage (Salvia apiana) which have been cut into lengths about one foot long, bound together and dried. For the ceremony, they are lit and left to smolder, producing a rich, aromatic smoke.
While sage has links to many cultures throughout the world, it is thought to have originated in Syria. From there it spread throughout the northern Mediterranean and then on to the rest of the world via the trade routes.
With over 500 species, from colored varieties to dwarfs to non -lowering varieties, sage is grown throughout the world (almost anywhere there is good drainage and full sun). Most of the varieties are perennials, fast growers, require low moisture and are deer resistant, making them a favorite with gardeners and cooks.
White Sage
- Salvia Apiana. Family: Lamiaceae.
White sage can be found throughout Mediterranean areas where development has not encroached on its habitat. In southern California, it grows in stands in plant communities of coastal sage scrub, and is often the dominant species. It is one of the most aromatic of the Salvias; the scent coming from the fuzzy, thick, silvery-green leaves rather than the flowers.
Leaves are 1" to 4" long, opposite with short petioles that wrap around the 4-sided stems to join the leave on the opposite side. Leaves form thick rosettes at the ends of the stems, though leaves along the stem are fairly sparse. The 4-sided stems are typical of all members of the mint family.
S. apiana's stems are sticky and as thick as leaves and petioles. Flowers appear in spring, are white with a tinge of lavender, two-lipped with bottom petals protruding far beyond very small upper lips, and are borne in loose clusters on very long wand-like stalks.
Mature shrubs reach 2- to six feet in height. In some areas, especially in California, the shrubs cover the entire hillsides. White sage is found with other sages and cross-pollinates to form many hybrid varieties.
White sage has a wide range of medicinal properties. Like all odoriferous sages, the leaves are powerful antiseptics, used for abrasions and a spectrum of skin inflammations, douches to treat Candida and staph infections, and sore throats, colds, and lung infections.
Drunk hot, an infusion of the leaves stimulates perspiration, thus lowering fevers. Inhaling the steamed leaves broke up chest congestion. Drunk cold, all bodily secretions are inhibited, which gives rise to the herb's use in weaning babies from the breast.
The mother would drink the cold tea and moisten her breasts with it. Many sages, because of their anti-microbial properties, are used in over-the-counter preparations.
Native American women used the thick leaves as sanitary napkins. The plant also makes a non-lathering shampoo and rinse that leaves the hair soft and beautiful (I will encourage the use of white sage as shampoo!) Native Americans made the leaves into smudge sticks and burned them during prayer and ceremonies. Unfortunately, many businesses sell the smudge sticks for profit, an act discouraged by Native American elders.
The seeds--a staple food of Native Americans--were ground into flour, and the young shoots were eaten as greens. The leaves can be brewed into a beverage tea. Aside from culinary usage, white sage was used in combination with other aromatic herbs to repel ants and other insects--either as a powder for dusting, or as a spray.
White sage is best for smudging, but other sages have broader application as spice and medicine. Garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is the most universally useful sage. Pick the leaves before the plant goes to flower and dry thoroughly on screens.
Then, rub the leaves through a screen to produce the fluffy, ground sage that makes such a savory addition to roasted fowl or protein dishes. Garden sage is also a valuable antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiviral agent.
Taken internally or gargled in the form of tea or diluted tincture, the garden sage will fight infection and will also diminish secretions of all kinds, including perspiration and saliva. Garden sage is also a specific for drying up milk production during weaning. The herb stimulates memory. For more information on the preparation and use of sage in home herbal medicine
SAGE CLARY
Salvia sclarea.
(Horminum Pyrenaicum) Botanical: Salvia sclarea. Family: N.O. Labiatae.
The Common Garden Clary is a biennial plant, its square, brownish stems growing 2 to 3 feet high, hairy and with few branches. The leaves are arranged in pairs, almost stalkless and are almost as large as the hand, oblong and heart-shaped, wrinkled, irregularly toothed at the margins and covered with velvety hairs.
The flowers are in a long, loose, terminal spike, on which they are set in whorls. The lipped corollas, similar to the Garden Sage, but smaller, are of a pale blue or white. The flowers are interspersed with large colored, membranous bracts, longer than the spiny calyx. Both corollas and bracts are generally variegated with pale purple and yellowish-white.
The seeds are blackish brown, contained in long, toothed husks, as an old writer describes the calyx. The whole plant possesses a very strong, aromatic scent, somewhat resembling that of Tolu while the taste is also aromatic, warm and sightly bitter.
According to Ettmueller, this herb was first brought into use by the wine merchants of Germany, who employed it as an adulterant, infusing it with Elder flowers, and then adding the liquid to the Rhenish wine, which converted it into the likeness of Muscatel. It is still called in Germany Muskateller Salbei (Muscatel Sage).
Medical Uses.
Stimulant, as tringent, tonic and carminative. It has been used in dyspepsia, but is now mostly employed as a condiment. In the United States, where it is still an official medicine, it is in some repute, especially in the form of an infusion, the principal and most valued application of which is as a wash for the cure of affections of the mouth and as a gargle in inflamed sore throat, being excellent for relaxed throat and tonsils, and also for ulcerated throat.
The gargle is useful for bleeding gums and to prevent an excessive flow of saliva. When a more stimulating effect to the throat is desirable, the gargle may be made of equal quantities of vinegar and water, 1/2 pint of hot malt vinegar being poured on 1 OZ. of leaves, adding 1/2 pint of cold water.
The infusion when made for internal use is termed Sage Tea, and can be made simply by pouring 1 pint of boiling water on to 1 OZ. of the dried herb, the dose being from a wine glassful to half a teacupful, as often as required, but the old-fashioned way of making it is more elaborate and the result is a pleasant drink, cooling in fevers, and also a cleanser and purifier of the blood. Half an ounce of fresh Sage leaves, 1 OZ. of sugar, the juice of 1 lemon, or 1/4 OZ. of grated rind, are infused in a quart of boiling water and strained off after half an hour.
In Jamaica the Negroes sweeten Sage Tea with lime-juice instead of lemon. Sage Tea or infusion of Sage is a valuable agent in the delirium of fevers and in the nervous excitement frequently accompanying brain and nervous diseases and has considerable reputation as a remedy, given in small and oft-repeated doses. It is highly serviceable as a stimulant tonic in debility of the stomach and nervous system and weakness of digestion generally. It was for this reason that the Chinese valued it, giving it the preference to their own tea.
It is considered a useful medicine in typhoid fever and beneficial in biliousness and liver complaints, kidney troubles, hemorrhage from the lungs or stomach, for colds in the head as well as sore throat and quinsy and measles, for pains in the joints, lethargy and palsy. It will check excessive perspiration in phthisis cases, and is useful as an emmenagogue. A cup of the strong infusion will be found good to relieve nervous headache.
The infusion made strong, without the lemons and sugar, is an excellent lotion for ulcers and to heal raw abrasions of the skin. It has also been popularly used as an application to the scalp, to darken the hair. The fresh leaves, rubbed on the teeth, will cleanse them and strengthen the gums. Sage is a common ingredient in tooth-powders.
The volatile oil is said to be a violent epileptiform convulsant, resembling the essential oils of absinthe and nutmeg. When smelt for some time it is said to cause a sort of intoxication and giddiness. It is sometimes prescribed in doses of 1 to 3 drops, and used for removing heavy collections of mucus from the respiratory organs. It is a useful ingredient in embrocations for rheumatism.
In cases where heat is required, Sage has been considered valuable when applied externally in bags, as a poultice and fomentation.
In Sussex, at one time, to munch Sage leaves on nine consecutive mornings, whilst fasting, was a country cure for ague, and the dried leaves have been smoked in pipes as a remedy for asthma.
In the region where Sage grows wild, its leaves are boiled in vinegar and used as a tonic.
Among many uses of the herb, Culpepper says that it is:
'Good for diseases of the liver and to make blood. A decoration of the leaves and branches of Sage made and drunk, saith Dioscorides, provokes urine and causeth the hair to become black. It stayeth the bleeding of wounds and cleaned ulcers and sores.
Three spoonsful of the juice of Sage taken fasting with a little honey arrests spitting or vomiting of blood in consumption. It is profitable for all pains in the head coming of cold rheumatic humours, as also for all pains in the joints, whether inwardly or outwardly.
The juice of Sage in warm water cureth hoarseness and cough. Pliny saith it cureth stinging and biting serpents. Sage is of excellent use to help the memory, warming and quickening the senses. The juice of Sage drunk with vinegar hath been of use in the time of the plague at all times.
Gargles are made with Sage, Rosemary, Honeysuckles and Plantains, boiled in wine or water with some honey or alum put thereto, to wash sore mouths and throats, as need requireth. It is very good for stitch or pains in the sides coming of wind, if the place be fomented warm with the decoration in wine and the herb also, after boiling, be laid warm thereto.'
Beauty Benefits
It promotes healthy skin cell growth, helps ward off wrinkles and gives skin a healthy, youthful look. It helps control oily skin and hair. It helps control acne and seborrhoea. It also helps control dandruff, dry skin and hair. If used as a scalp massage, it can encourage hair growth and lessen hair loss.
Culinary Recipes
Sage and Onion stuffing for ducks, geese and pork enables the stomach to digest the rich food. From Warner's Ancient Cookery, 1791, for Sawgeat, Sawge. Sawgeat 'Take Pork and seeth (boil) it well and grind it smale and medle (mingle) it with ayren (eggs) and ygrated (grated) brede (bread). Do thereto salt sprinkled and saffron. Take a close litull ball of it in foiles (leaves) of Sawge. Wet it with a bator (batter) of ayren, fry and serve forth.
From The Cook's Oracle, 1821:
'Sage and Onion Sauce
'Chop very fine an ounce of onion and 1/2 OZ. of green Sage leaves, put them in a stamper with 4 spoonsful of water, simmer gently for 10 minutes, then put in a teaspoonful of pepper and salt and 1 OZ. of fine bread crumbs. Mix well together, then pour to it 1/4 pint of Broth, Gravy or Melted Butter, stir well together and simmer a few minutes longer. This is a relishing sauce for Roast Pork, Geese or Duck, or with Green Peas on Maigre Days.'
The same book gives:
A Relish for Roast Pork. or Goose
2 OZ. of leaves of Green Sage, an ounce of fresh lemon peel, pared thin, same of salt, minced shallot and 1/2 drachm of Cayenne pepper, ditto of citric acid, steeped for a fortnight in a pint of claret. Shake it well every day; let it stand a day to settle and decant the clear liquid. Bottle it and cork it close. Use a tablespoonful or more in 1/4 pint of gravy or melted butter.
Another modern Sage Sauce, excellent with Roast Pork is:
Sagina Sauce
Take 6 large Sage leaves, 2 onions, 1 teaspoonful of flour, 1 teaspoonful of vinegar, butter the size of a walnut, salt, pepper, and 1/2 pint of good, brown gravy. Scald the Sage leaves and chop them with the onions to a mincemeat. Put them in a stewpan with the butter, sprinkle in the flour, cover close and steam 10 minutes. Then add the vinegar, gravy and seasoning and simmer half an hour.
From Walsh's Manual of Domestic Economy, 1857: Sage Cheese. Bruise the tops of young red Sage in a mortar with some leaves of spinach and squeeze the juice; mix it with the rennet in the milk, more or less, according to the preferred col our and taste. When the curd is come, break it gently and put it in with the skimmer till it is pressed two inches above the vat. Press it 8 or 10 hours. Salt it and turn every day.
Sage vervain
The Wild English Clary, or Vervain Sage, is a native of all parts of Europe and not uncommon in England in dry pastures and on roadsides, banks and waste ground, especially near the sea, or on chalky soil. It is a smaller plant than the Garden Clary, but its medicinal virtues are rather more powerful.
Sage vervain
Purple Garden Sage Officinalis Purpurea
Purple Garden Sage can be used just like regular Garden Sage. It rarely flowers which helps to keep it at more moderate height and from falling apart in the center. It looks great planted with gray leaved plants like Lavender. In fact, the two together make a great after shave!
Cleveland Sage
Salvia Clevelandii
Cleveland Sage is a big, gray ,aromatic California Native. Indeed, just one stem in the house might make the air too heavily scented for some. Also very water thrifty, this plant explodes from its three by five foot shrubby height and width to five feet by eight or ten feet with its absolutely incredible blooms. The long flower stems are graced with several pompoms of purplish blue flowers.
The most important tip for growing Cleveland Sage is to prune the bush for shape after it blooms. Leaving the old flower heads will cause the bush to open up in the center. Sometimes hard pruning can correct this and sometimes not. This sage can be used both fresh and dried in cooking. Add carefully; it is very strong.
Purple Sage
Purpurascens
Salvia officinalis Purpurascens Group has aromatic, spectacular purple-gray foliage that should be a focal point in the garden. It grows well in outdoor containers and raised beds. It can grow to 24-32" in height and spreads widely to 36". Purple sage is the most effective sage medicinally, but it is less hardy than the garden variety. It can be brought indoors for winter to a bright, ventilated area.
Grape Scented Sage
Salvia Melissodora
Grape Scented Sage has both fragrant foliage and flowers. The sweet freesia like scent of the flowers is a welcome addition to the autumn garden. Both leaves and flowers can be used to make tea. The softly colored flowers can also be used as a garnish. A late blooming plant that is particularly loved by hummingbirds, Grape Scented Sage complements the fall blooming Lion's Tail and Lemon Verbena.
Island Black Sage
Salvia Brandegii
This large imposing shrub flowers on long pencil thin stems. The pale blue pom-pom like flowers are just in time to complement the early spring blooming Orchid Rockrose above. However, Island Black Sage will start blooming before the rockrose and last at least a month beyond. It never needs pruning, is quite water thrifty and does well even when it isn't on an island or near the coast. Island Black Sage would make a great addition to any zone 8 or higher garden.
The Mexican Bush Sage.
The Mexican Bush Sage will bloom from mid to late summer until frost when it will die back to the ground. In warmer climates, it may stay evergreen. In this situation, cutting it back to the ground once a year in the fall is recommended. These soft fuzzy flowers top one of the most ornamental of all Salvias. A sturdy grower with good form, Mexican Bush Sage not only stands out in the garden, but attracts lovely hummingbirds as well.
Broadleaf Sage:
Salvia officinalis.
The Garden Broadleaf Sage, `Salvia officinalis,' will be loved for a variety of reasons. It features a strong unique flavor and aroma. Its beautiful purple-blue flowers are edible, in addition to adding wonderful contrast to the garden. The foliage of this semi-woody shrub has a pebbly texture. Its young leaves are either eaten fresh in salads or cooked in breads, omelets, poultry stuffing, beans, cabbage and garlic. The Broad leaf Sage seeds should be planted in the spring in any well draining soil.
Golden Sage
Salvia officinalis aurea
This is an ideal plant for contrasting color in a home garden or landscape. leaves of sage have a sharp, peppery taste and can be used to flavor sausage, soups, dressings, cheese dishes & stuffing. It will also make a delicious tea.
young leaves can be eaten fresh in salads, as well as be cooked in omelets, breads, poultry stuffing and all types of beans, cabbage & garlic. Sage should be planted in spring in a well drained garden soil. This neat, shrubby plant is a wonderful source of vitamins A & C. '6 - 10' Full Sun Garden Home Family Annuals Herbs Salvia Officinalis Aurea Annuals Herbs Salvia Officinalis Aurea.
Pineapple Sage
Salvia elegans
This is a semi woody shrub, mostly herbaceous plant will grow to three to five feet in height, and have an open branched, airy habit. Like most other mints, Pineapple Sage has stems with a square shaped cross section.
When foliage is bruised, it smells like fresh pineapple. Pineapple sage should be used in center of beds and borders. Its open, airy structure will not hide other plants. fragrant leaves should be crushed into either hot or iced tea for a delicious treat.
flowers are delicious & can be used to add both color & flavor to salads & desserts. Pineapple sages will make stunning centerpieces as well as great border plants. '8 - 10' Full Sun Garden Home Family Annuals Herbs Salvia Elegans.
Berggarten Sage Herb -
Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten
The Sage, 'Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten', has broad gray leaves that grow great in herb planters and in a compact in garden. Berggarten Sage can be used in any recipe using Garden Sage. Berggarten Sage is a special selection of the common Garden Sage.
Berggarten Sage rarely blooms and this helps to extend the life of this short lived perennial. Trim often by taking three or four inches of new growth. Plant in a full sun location. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Berggarten has average water needs. So water regularly and do not over water.
Tricolor Sage Herb -
Salvia officinalis Tricolor
The Sage Tricolor, 'Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor', has green, white, and purple varigated leaves and the color intensifies in full sun. Tricolor Sage is beautiul in the garden.
Salvia officinalis is the basic sage long famed for culinary and medicinal value, but it is also highly decorative in the garden. It one-ups the usual Purple Sage by mixing green, white, & purple foliage on a single pubescent-leafed plant. This eye-catching variegated sage makes a perfect evergreen edge for a sunny border. Back to Top
HERB GARDEN SIX PACK KITS
Learn about your garden while it grows and save money. We have paired 11 of our 13 Specialty Herb Garden Six Packs with books related to their use and we have discounted both. Plants and books are shipped together in the same carton which makes this a very nice gift idea. Visit
Mountain Valley Growers
Sage Garden Herb Variety
Biological Name: Salvia officinalis Labiateae
Other Names:Red Sage, Garden Sage, Sage, purple top sage.
Red Sage is a perennial in warm climates but acts as an annual in areas that can stay below freezing for more than a few hours at a time. It grows to 3 feet in height in the southeast U.S. and down into Central America. Red sage is used in garden borders where brilliant color and attraction to butterflies and hummingbirds is desired. Another name for this plant is "Lady in Red". After initial seeding the plant will re-seed itself in following years.
Active Compounds:
Volatile oil, containing a and b-thujone as the major components, with cineole, borneol, camphor, 2-methyl-3-methylene-5-heptene and others
Diterpene bitters. picrosalvin (carnosol), carnosolic acid and others
Flavonoids. salvigenin, genkwanin, 6-methoxygendwanin, hispidulin, luteolin
Phenolic acids; rosmarinic, caffeic, labiatic etc.
Salviatannin, a condensed catechin.
Remedies For:
Carminative, anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, astringent, anti-inflammatory, sudorific, expectorant, tonic, aromatic, nervine, vermifuge, emmenagogue, diuretic, stimulant, diaphoretic, stomachic, antiseptic.
Red Sage is the classic remedy for inflammations of the mouth, throat and tonsils, its volatile oils soothing the mucous membranes. Used as a mouth wash for inflamed and bleeding gums (gingivitis), inflamed tongue (glossitis) or generalized mouth inflammation (stomatitis). An excellent remedy in mouth ulcers (apthae).
As a gargle it will aid in the treatment of laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and quinsy. A valuable carminative used in dyspepsia. It reduces sweating when taken internally and may be used to reduce the production of breast milk.
As a compress it promotes the healing of wounds. Red Sage stimulates the muscles of the uterus and so should be avoided during pregnancy. Jethro Kloss calls sage an almost "cure-all - you could never go amiss if you take sage."
Combinations : As a gargle for throat conditions it combines well with Tormentil and Balm of Gilead. In dyspepsia it can be combined with Meadowsweet and Chamomile.
Dosage:
Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the leaves and let infuse for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Mouthwash: put 2 teaspoonfuls of the leaves in half a liter ( one pint) of water, bring to the boil and let stand, covered, for l5 minutes. Gargle deeply with the hot tea for 5-10 minutes several times a day.
Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day. Back to Top
Safety: CAUTION: Avoid during pregnancy.
Velvet Sage
Salvia Buchannii.
From velvety soft buds to two inch long majestic flower, Velvet Sage is one show stopping Salvia. Needless to say, this deep maroon flower is a hummingbird magnet.
Even if it doesn't over winter in your zone, consider growing it as an annual.
Dwarf Velvet Sage
Salvia leucantha ' Santa Barbara'
This Dwarf Velvet Sage (Salvia leucantha 'Santa Barbara ') is only a dwarf on a comparative level. It can reach two feet tall plus long flower spikes bringing it to three feet high, & spreads into a four foot loose mound even with seasonal shearing to keep it fresh. The wild species of Velvet or Wooly sage would be larger still.
Its spikes of deep purple-blue flowers have the velvety texture that provides the species with the common names Wooly of Velvet. It loves bright sun & needs little or no watering other than provided by the sky.
We got it for a low-maintance sun-garden along the street. Although it is a desert plant it easily adapts to cooler weather, just so long as it is strategically located to get as little as possible rainwater running down to it, placed in perfectly well-draining soil. It prefers poor soils to rich or humusy ones.
It dislikes shade especially in our temperate zone & will become leggy & brittle if unhappy with its portion of sunlight. It can tolerate some shade in hotter climates than ours. In summer the flowering stems can become so heavy they are weighted down, but this makes for a pleasing fountaining look rather than fallen floppy look, & it is not necessary to stake 'Santa Barbara.'
It is a good companion plant with other low-maintance perennials & shrubs. Ours grows in the company of dwarf blue hyssop, sun roses, Hidcote Lavender, a nearby Butterfly Bush, & so on. Because it is an airy shrub it lets sunlight reach the ground, so does not hinder the succulent groundcovering Trailing Iceplant around the base of the sage. When this sun-garden was extended, 'Lambrook Gold' Euphorbia & an evergreen 'Aztec Pearl' Mexican Orange shrub were added nearby.Back to Top
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Bog Sage:
Salvia Ulignosa.
Resembling a small stand of Bamboo, this is an elegant addition to the perennial garden. Unsure of why it is called Bog Sage, since too much water makes it floppy. Blooms all summer and should be cut back after about four weeks of bloom to encourage continual blooming and sturdy stalks.
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Salvia argentea Silver Sage
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide.
Silver sage is grown for its luscious, crinkled soft silver-gray foliage. The ragged white flowers are best removed before they open.
Salvia azurea Azure Sage
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide.
This upright bushy sage has lance-shaped basil leaves, leafy stems, and dense terminal spikes of azure blue flowers. Var. grandiflora has larger flowers. Salvia uliginosa, bog sage, has a smilar form, with azure-and-white-bicolor flowers on 4- to 5-foot stems.
Salvia azurea is taller than violet sage and has dense spikes of bright blue flowers and nearly hairless lance-shaped leaves. While blue sage doesn't start blooming until midsummer to late summer, it continues to bloom well into fall without deadheading. Perfect drainage is a must because the plants are highly susceptible to winter rot. In Zone 5, apply a generous layer of lightweight winter mulch (such as pine needles).
Salvia darcyi Darcy Sage
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide.
Darcy sage is a stunning plant with vermilion flowers held above fragrant wedge-shaped, resinous leaves. Look out hummingbirds! Salvia regia has small, kidney shaped leaves that are mostly basal, and tall spikes, to 3 feet, of red flowers in fall. Salvia darcyi 'Jame' is a good red-orange selection.
Salvia farinacea Mealycup Sage
Size: 1.5 to 4 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide.
Mealycup sage is an open, loosely branching sage that has narrowly oval leaves and terminal spikes of violet-blue flowers held above foliage. Grown as the popular annual in colder zones. 'Salvia farinacea' 'Blue Bedder' has deep blue flowers on 2- to 2.5-foot stems. Salvia farinacea 'Victoria' is similar but more compact (18 inches). Salvia farinacea 'Indigo Spires' is an open-crowned hybrid sage to 3 feet tall with spikes of tiered deep blue flowers.
Salvia greggii Autumn Sage
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall and wide.
Autumn Sage is a small rounded shrub with delicate, soft, hairy leaves and terminal clusters of red flowers all season. In colder zones, plants die back partiall or to the ground and do not begin blooming until early summer. Salvia greggii 'Dark Dancer' has deep raspberry red flowers. Salvia xjamensis is a red-flowered hybrid. Salvia microphylla is similar to autumn sage but a bit less hardy.
Leaf size is variable, not always small as the name would indicate. Salvia greggii 'San Carlos Festival' is a great compact selection with deep fuchsia-pink flowers. Salvia greggii 'Wild Watermelon' is watermelon pink. Many hybrid sage selections are available. Maraschino Sage has cherry red flowers. Raspberry Royal Salvia has glowing raspberry flowers. Silke's Dream Salvia is a rich scarlet.
Salvia guaranitica Blue Anise Sage
Size: 4 to 6 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide.
Blue Anise Sage is a tall, leafy sage with deep blue flowers on stout stems. Salvia guaranitica 'Argentine Skies' has soft sky blue flowers. Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' has deep indigo flowers with near-black calyces on compact plants to 3 feet tall.
Salvia koyamae Yellow Sage
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide.
Yellow sage is a woodland sage with spear-shaped leaves and spikes of milky yellow flowers in late summer and fall. Salvia nipponica has a similar form but is more compact. Salvia nipponica 'Fuji Snow' has white edged, speckled leaves.
Salvia leucantha Velvet Sage
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.
Velvet sage is a shrubby sage with woolly stems and leaves and 10-foot spires of white flowers with purple calyces from midsummer through frost. Salvia leucantha 'Midnight' has red-violet flowers and purple calyces. Salvia leucantha 'Santa Barbara' is a compact selection, 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Salvia leucantha 'Anthony Parker' is a hybrid with purple-blue flowers on open plants.
Salvia nemorosa Garden Sage
Size: 1.5 to 3.5 feet tall and wide.
Garden sage is a lovely sage smothered in stiff spikes of violet blue flowers for 3 to 4 weeks in early to midsummer. Triangular leaves are soft, hairy, and bright green. Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is tall (2.5 feet) with open spikes of blue-violet flowrs all summer. Salvia nemorosa 'Lubecca' has blue-violet flowers on tall, open spikes. Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus' is a true dwarf to 8 inches with blue-violet flowrs. Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland' ('East Friesland') has deep purple flowers on compact stems 1 to 1.5 feet tall.
Salvia cultivars are sometimes listed under the similar Salvia xsylvestris. The following selections belong here. Salvia nemorosa 'Blaukonigin' ('Blue Queen') has violet flowers and is 1.5 to 2 feet tall. Salvia nemorosa 'Mainacht' ('May Night') has purple flowers and red-violet calyxes. Salvia nemorosa 'Rosenkonigin' ('Rose Queen') has rose-pink flowers. Salvia nemorosa 'Schneehuegal' ('Snow Hill') has white flowers. Salvia nemorosa 'Viola Klose' has dark blue flowers.
Salvia Nemorosa
Salvia nemorosa (violet sage) forms an open mound of narrow, rough leaves bearing upright, narrow spikes of tiny, tubular, violet-purple flowers. Most plants listed as Salvia nemorosa are actually cultivars or hybrids. The cultivars are similar to the species, but they vary in flower color and are more compact, with denser, more rounded mounds of foliage. The bloom in early summer to midsummer, with repeat bloom into fall if deadheaded regularly. Violet sage can be tender in areas with wet winters.
Salvia officinalis Culinary Sage
Size: 1.5 to 2 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide.
Ornamental and culinary, a semiwoody shrub with woolly, oblong leaves and somewhat insignificant blue-violet flowers. Many handsome leaf colors with compact form are available. Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten' has broad oval leaves and is quite showy with blue-violet flowers. Salvia officinalis 'Compacta' is a compact grower to 15 inches with smaller leaves. Salvia officinalis 'Icterina' has gold-and-green variegated foliage. Salvia officinalis 'Purpurescens' has gray-violet leaves. Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' has pink, green, and white leaves.
Salvia pratensis Meadow Sage
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide.
Meadow Sage is a slender sage with bushy rosettes of oval leaves and tall, branching stems tipped with showy violet-blue flowers. Excellent cultivars are available. Salvia pratensis 'Haematodes' has showy blue-violet flowers. Salvia pratensis 'Rosea' has rose-purple flowers. Salvia verticillata, whorled sage, is a sprawling species with blue flowrs atop lax spikes. Salvia pratensis 'Purple Rain' is smoky purple. Salvia pratensis 'White Rain' is white flowered and has a more complact form, to 2 feet tall, and 3 feet wide.
Sage Salvia