Many years ago I enjoyed growing different types of culinary salvias (sage is salvia officinalis), primarily for ornamental purpose. I never harvested the leaves for cooking.

6.27.02

Now I only grow the flowering ones. Salvia flowers come in many colors and this year I have them in red, blue, salmon and white

8.7.10

8.7.10

The one with the white flowers is the tallest and healthiest. Salvias are annuals for our zone.

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Salvias belong in the mint family ( Lamiaceae ), with more than 1000 species, hybrids and cultivars.

According to Wikipedia, the word salvia came from salvere, a Latin word means "to save" referring to its long-believed healing properties.

Salvia prefers a sunny area and well-drained soil. It requires very little maintenance.