50+ Organic Broadleaf Italian Sage-Perennial Herb- Non GMO-SALVIA OFFICINALIS-G018
Description:
The attractive. broad, gray-green leaves remain lush throughout summer, and the plant forms attractive blue or lavender flowers in early summer. Sage grows reliably as a perennial in hardiness zones 4 to 8, but it can be enjoyed as an annual in other climates. The bushy plant complements both herb gardens and ornamental beds while providing a summer-long harvest of leaves. Broadleaf sage (Salvia officinalis), also called culinary sage, produces aromatic foliage suitable for kitchen use. Break up the top 6 inches of soil in a well-drained bed, using a hoe. Select a full-sun site with sandy soil, when possible. Sage grows best in dry soil with few nutrients. Plant the sage seedlings in the prepared bed after the last spring frost. Space the seedlings 18 inches apart in all directions, planting them at the same depth they were growing at in their pots. Water sage once or twice weekly for the first two weeks after planting. Provide enough water to keep the top 6 inches of soil moist but not waterlogged while the roots establish. Water established sage only during prolonged dried periods if the foliage visibly begins to wilt. Cut off the flower stems when they form if you are growing the sage for culinary purposes. Flowering affects the flavor of the foliage.
Season: Perennial
Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9
Height: 18 - 30 inches
Bloom Season: Summer
Bloom Color: Mauve
Environment: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained, pH 6.6 - 7.8
Deer Resistant: Yes
Temperature: 60 - 70F (15-21 C)
Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days
Light Required: Yes
Depth: Press seed onto surface of soil, cover lightly with peat moss
Sowing Rate: 1 seed per 2 inches
Moisture: Keep moist until germination
Plant Spacing: Rows 18 inches a part; thin seedlings 12 inches
Days to Maturity: 75 days
Trim back the sage by half its height in fall as the plant begins to enter dormancy. Shape the plant as you prune into an even mounded shape. Tips Harvest sage leaves throughout the growing season as you need them. You can also cut back the plant by up to 6 inches in midseason to shape it and bring in a larger harvest. Sage grows well as a potted outdoor plant. You can also grow it as an annual outside its hardiness zones.
