Salvia officinalis Purpurascens

Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens', or purple sage, is a variety of officinal sage whose young leaves stand out with their purple colour and ashen grey highlights. It is a compact and robust perennial plant, famous for its medicinal properties and highly aromatic foliage. It blooms in summer, with upright spikes of bluish-purple flowers that attract numerous pollinating insects. This plant captivates with its simplicity, floribundity, fragrant foliage that remains beautiful all year round, and its accommodating nature. It proves to be very hardy and fairly resistant to drought. It thrives in rich soil and a warm, sunny exposure.

Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens', like all sages, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is native to western Asia but has been widely spread and naturalised along the Mediterranean coast for a long time. The plant forms a beautiful clump composed of woody stems at the base, covered in velvety, small lanceolate leaves that are tender green to grey on the upper side and lighter on the underside. This variety can reach 40cm (16in) in height and spread, sometimes much more in fertile soil. The nectar-rich and honey-producing flowering occurs from July to September, earlier or later depending on the climate. The floral spikes are upright and have square-shaped stems, bearing bluish-violet flowers surrounded at the base by a velvety, dark sheathing calyx. The flowers have two bluish-violet lips. The evergreen foliage consists of thick, ovate, narrow leaves with a velvety texture and toothed edges. The plant tissues contain a highly studied essential oil with interesting properties.

In the garden, mix different varieties by planting some aromatic plants like purple sage in the middle of your perennial beds or even in rock gardens. They will integrate perfectly and fill in empty spaces without requiring much maintenance. Their scent can repel insects that may attack more delicate plants, such as certain roses or lilies. It possesses ornamental qualities that can be utilised in a natural-style garden or a herb garden. It can also be planted with, for example, California poppies, cosmos, globe thistles, Mexican fleabane, or other fast-growing plants that will create a beautiful display in just one season.

"He who has sage in his garden does not need a doctor" is a saying that shows the importance of the medicinal properties of officinal sage, also known as the "saving plant". Sage is renowned for its diuretic, tonic, antiseptic, antiperspirant, and antispasmodic properties. In cooking, use fresh or dried leaves to flavour fish, poultry, sauces, and vegetables. Add the leaves at the end of cooking to preserve their aroma. They can also be used for infusions.