Salvia officinalis 'Ceres'

The 'Ceres' Bio Officinal Sage, derived from the wild species Salvia officinalis, is a particularly aromatic selection, with foliage that has a high content of essential oils. It is an ornamental, aromatic, and medicinal subshrub that forms a bushy clump. It flowers in spring, with upright lavender-blue spikes that attract many pollinating insects. This plant is known for its simplicity, its highly fragrant grey-green foliage that remains beautiful throughout the year, and its accommodating nature. It is very hardy, fairly drought-resistant, and thrives in a consistent soil and warm, sunny exposure. Its foliage can be used fresh or dried to flavor cuisine or prepare infusions.

Sow 'Ceres' Bio sage from March to July for a harvest from July to December in the following year.

The medicinal properties of Sage have been known since ancient times. The Greeks and Romans used it to treat snake bites. The Egyptians appreciated its properties for embalming their deceased. "He who has sage in his garden has no need for a doctor": this saying demonstrates the importance attributed to the medicinal properties of Officinal Sage, also known as 'the saving plant'. Sage is indeed renowned for its diuretic, tonic, antiseptic, antiperspirant, and antispasmodic properties. In cuisine, fresh or dried leaves add flavour to fish, poultry, sauces, and vegetables. Add the leaves at the end of cooking to preserve their aroma. They can also be used in infusions. Fresh or dried leaves are used to flavour stews, fish, poultry, game, vegetables, and pasta. Sage contains a toxic essential oil in high doses.

Salvia officinalis, like all sages, belongs to the family Lamiaceae or Labiatae. It is native to Western Asia but has been widespread and naturalized in the Mediterranean region for a long time. The plant forms a beautiful clump composed of woody stems at the base, covered in small lanceolate leaves that are light green to grey on top and lighter on the underside. It can reach a height of 60 to 80cm (24 to 32in), with a diameter of about 40cm (16in), sometimes much larger in fertile soil. The flowering, which produces nectar and attracts bees, takes place in May-June, earlier or later depending on the climate. The floral spikes are upright and have square-section stems. The flowers are white and surrounded at the base by a velvety, light green sheathing calyx. The flowers have two lips coloured blue-purple. The evergreen foliage is composed of thick, ovate, narrow, fuzzy leaves with toothed edges. The plant tissues contain an essential oil with a characteristic odour.

Officinal Sage is easy to grow and requires the addition of well-decomposed compost (3 kg/m²) in late autumn or early spring.

Harvest: The leaves can be harvested from April to October by simply cutting the branches.

Storage: Dry the branches in the shade and store them in a dry place.

Gardener's tip: Regular weeding and hoeing should be done.