woodland sage or Balkan clary

Sage is attractive and bee-friendly

Botanically, sage is also called Salvia nemorosa. Its ornamental value is less well known, as it is mainly associated with kitchen sage. The rock sage is not edible, but as a bushy and upright growing ground cover it is particularly impressive in rock and flower gardens. Sage also becomes an eye-catcher in sunny borders and adds Mediterranean flair to the scenery.

The ornamental sage is a wonderful bee pasture.

Even its elliptically shaped leaves with the toothed edge give the steppe sage something elegant. The grey-green colouring is subtle but contrasts well with the later sage flower. Both leaves and shoots have fine hairs on their surface. After the leaves have formed in March, violet-coloured flowers develop from June to September. They grow up in spikes and attract bees, bumblebees and butterflies with their scent. As a nectar plant, the flowering sage not only delights insects, you will also love the sight of it. After flowering, you should cut back the ornamental sage by a third and water it. Adding compost also vitalises the plant and promotes a second flowering of the sage. In autumn, the flower stems can be cut back a second time to 10 cm.

The steppe sage loves the sun

The original distribution area of Salvia nemorosa is in the steppe landscapes as well as in higher mountainous areas from Europe to Russia. It therefore prefers a sunny and warm location in a well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. The steppe sage grows up to 40cm in height and only needs water during longer dry periods. With its frugality, it can even be planted in slightly sandy soils. In this case, you should add a universal fertiliser in spring. Planting is possible all year round, as the sage is pot-grown and winter-hardy. If you plant it in spring, it will give you a lush display of flowers in the same year; if you plant it in autumn, it will not flower until the following year.

Ornamental sage offers versatile design options

Because of its adaptability, sage can find a suitable location almost anywhere. Its easy-care nature makes it an ideal plant for Mediterranean gardens or rock gardens. Even unusual compositions, such as the design of a prairie garden, can be realised with flowering sage. You need about 12 plants for one square metre. The spacing should be 25 cm. In combination with the red purple bellflower or the ground cover rose, it beautifully sets the scene in your garden. It can also be planted in containers on terraces. These should be protected with fleece in winter, as the roots in pots react somewhat more sensitively to frost.

The sage will find optimal growing conditions in almost any garden - it just must not be too wet. In March, the leaves begin to sprout and in June you can then enjoy the purple-coloured flower corollas. We recommend a short pruning after the first flowering phase. In autumn, put on your gardening gloves and cut the flower stems back to 10 cm. This plant attracts bumblebees, bees and butterflies and provides plenty of pollen and nectar.

Buy Sage - Salvia nemorosa

For one square metre we recommend buying about 12 plants.

The plants are grown in pots, so you can use the Salvia nemororsa all year round.