Salvia elegans Tangerine

Salvia elegans 'Tangerine', or tangerine sage, is a variant of pineapple sage. Its foliage reveals a fragrance and flavour of citrus quite similar to that of an orange. It is a perennial plant with a woody base or an evergreen undershrub for mild climates. It is quite delicious. This sage is loved by gardener-cooks for its pleasantly aromatic light green foliage and for its large spikes of bright red flowers that appear, depending on the cultivation method, from late summer to autumn, and sometimes again in spring. While it is true that this plant is not very hardy, it is robust and easy to succeed in the sun, in well-drained soil. It will find its place in a large pot to be stored in winter in cold climates, or in sunny flower beds or herb gardens.

Salvia elegans, like all salvias, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This perennial with creeping rhizomes is native to Mexico and Guatemala, where it colonises pine and oak forests at medium altitudes, which explains its low hardiness. This 'Tangerine' variety quickly forms a beautiful clump with a spreading habit composed of semi-woody and hairy stems carrying triangular, richly textured, bright green leaves. They possess a surprising fragrance and flavour, reminiscent of citrus fruits, especially oranges. The plant reaches a height of 80cm (32in) to 1m (3ft), sometimes more under the right conditions, with a minimum diameter of 80cm (32in) if not destroyed by frost. The nectar-rich and honey-scented flowering is also tasty. It is characteristic of short-day plants; it occurs in October or November, then in March, in open ground in mild climates or in a cold greenhouse in cold climates. A plant grown frost-free all year round can bloom as early as the end of August. The flowering spikes are upright and branched. They are slightly purplish square-sectioned stems, bearing long, slender tubular flowers in bright red, surrounded at the base by a sheathing bright green calyx. The hardiness of this species does not exceed -7°C (19.4°F), in a protected position and in dry soil during winter.

The ornamental qualities of tangerine sage make it a wonderful border plant. In nature, it grows in rather moist but well-drained soils, under a warm mountain climate. This generous and unique plant is perfect when planted with perennials or annuals, such as silvery-leaved shrubby mugworts, perennial chrysanthemums, and asters, for example. On a patio, place it in a large pot so that it is within reach when you cook, and store it away from heavy frosts in winter.

In the kitchen:

The finely chopped leaves can be used fresh or frozen in ice cubes. Use them in exotic dishes. The leaves enhance fish, pork, duck, and veal. They are suitable for both sweet and savoury recipes. Excellent herbal teas can be made from them and they add fragrance to fruit salads. The flowers are also edible and can flavour desserts, add a colourful touch to fruit salads, and brighten up cocktails, pastries, and sorbets.