There are close to 500 different wild species of sage. Cultivated varieties are numerous too and offer different qualities for a wide variety of uses. Colourful sages make hardy borders; aromatic relatives are a must for the herb garden and the kitchen; sweet-scented cousins are charming in containers and as gifts. These herbs are relatively care-free and happy to thrive in ordinary soil and sun.
Common sage is the most familiar member of its big family. Gardeners have a long history with S. officinalis that dates back to the late 1500s. Native to sunny Mediterranean climes, it is an indispensible herb in cooking and holds its own as an ornamental bush. It also has medicinal qualities; it is used in infusions to calm the nerves, sooth a sore throat, and settle indigestion. (Family: Lamiaceae)
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