Salvia aethiopis is a plant of the Lamiaceae family like all sages. It is a botanical species native to Mediterranean regions and Central Asia, including areas ranging from southern Europe (such as France, Spain, and Italy) to Central Asia, passing through countries like Turkey and Iran. It naturally thrives in dry rocky habitats, such as steppes, mountain slopes, and rocky or limestone areas. These arid environments, combined with high summer temperatures and cold winters, have shaped its natural resistance to harsh conditions.
This perennial sage is distinguished by its hairy foliage forming a dense rosette of basal leaves. The leaves are wide, reaching up to 30 cm in length, with a greyish-green colour and covered in white hairs, giving them a silvery, velvety appearance. These leaves have very sharp lobes, often erect, giving them a distinct look and allowing them to capture and reflect light. Their design adds an interesting texture to the garden. It is deciduous foliage in winter. The plant goes dormant during the cold season, and its large silvery leaves reappear in spring. Flowering, which occurs from June to August, is spectacular: the plant produces an upright floral stem, topped with spikes of small white flowers, sometimes slightly tinted with yellow or green. The flowers, arranged in whorls around the stem, measure about 1 cm in diameter and attract numerous pollinators, especially bees. These inflorescences rise well above the foliage, up to 1 m in height, forming a beautiful mass of white flowers in harmony with the silvery foliage. After flowering, dry fruits containing small brown seeds form, allowing the plant to self-seed easily in favourable conditions.
Ethiopian Sage can be planted in a rockery, at the edge of a raised bed, or on a large slope. This perennial pairs well with Stachys byzantina with woolly leaves, the tall clary sage, as well as the tall Sedum 'Matrona' that blooms in late summer. Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' will add a touch of colour and enhance the Mediterranean feel. These plants, all suited to dry soils and full sun exposure, together create decorative compositions that are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.
