Garden Sage, Common Sage               SAL-vee-a o-fis-i-NA-lis

• Herbaceous evergreen shrublet, 1-2 ft (30-60 cm), often greater width, stem 4-angled, more or less woody.  Leaves pale gray-green, 7.5-10 cm long, oblong to elliptic, entire, rugose (winked), pubescent below, aromatic when crushed.  Flowers violet-blue (also pink, white), about 2 cm long, 5-10 per cluster, on spikes in spring and early summer.
• Sun, grows well on poor, but well-drained soil.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 5      Native range from Spain to Western Balkan Peninsula and Asia Minor.  Commonly grown as an herb and spice.  Several cultivars available.