Salvia is native to Europe and Asia Minor. It is also known as Diviners Sage or Salvia Divinorum. It is one of three genera commonly referred to as Sage.

 

Salvia plants grow fairly rapidly. The less hardy types that are usually grown as annuals may reach 5 to 6 feet by the end of the season.

 

Salvias have brilliantly colored flowers and attractive, often scented foliage. They are typically characterized by flowers with bilabiate (2-lipped corollas), aromatic (mint-like) foliage, opposite leaves and square stems. The flowers typically occur in dense clusters (glomerules) along the main stem axis. Salvias are the allure it has for the hummingbird. The tubular shape of these flowers is necessary for the tiny birds tongue. Red salvia is noted for its dense cluster of flowers at the top of the plant. While scarlet is the long-time standard color, this type of salvia is also available in shades of orange, purple, and white.

 

Salvias that are widely available are so tender they must be grown as annuals in all but frost free areas. Most Salvia plants prefer full sun and well-drained soils, but there are also many that will bloom well in part shade. They are quite drought-tolerant and require little care once established. They can be subject to damping-off of seedlings, stem and root rots, powdery mildew, Botrytis blight, aphids, spider mites and whiteflies. Diseases are most common either in greenhouses or under conditions that salvia dislike such as cool, wet weather.

 

Salvias have been growing rapidly in popularity in recent years. The dried leaves are a popular cooking herb in the United States. Although quite pungent, some of the native California sages are also used as an herb. As a cooking herb, Salvia officinalis is often used in turkey "stuffing" at Thanksgiving time and also in processed lunch meats and sausages. Sage leaves are used to flavor vinegar and as a culinary herb which reportedly aids digestion. Other medicinal virtues include a potent astringent and antiseptic for mouth infections and bleeding gums, and for the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders.

 

Did you know?

·        Worldwide, there are over 700 species in the genus Salvia,