Aromatic Mediterranean evergreen sub-shrub with grey-green felted leaves. Strong bee forage when in flower.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 4–9 | −34.4 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 4–9 | −29 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–5 | −15 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About Sage — Common
Common sage is a Mediterranean shrub whose botanical name, Salvia, comes from the Latin salvere — to be well or to be saved — reflecting the long medicinal reputation captured in the old saying about why anyone with sage in the garden should ever die. It is closely related to the ornamental salvias and, since a 2017 reclassification, to rosemary. The soft grey-green leaves are covered in fine hairs that reduce water loss, an adaptation to dry summers. Sage grows woody with age and, like lavender, seldom shoots again from bare old wood once it has been cut back too hard.
Growing notes
- Purple flower spikes in early summer — a useful seasonal indicator
- Replace plants every 4–5 years as they become woody
- Always consult a qualified medical or herbal practitioner before medicinal use.
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Related plants
Cross-check Sage — Common against your zones