Salvia officinalis Tricolor

Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor' is a pretty variety of sage that is distinguished by a more compact growth habit and beautiful evergreen foliage variegated with pink, white, and greyish-green. Its late spring flowering, in long spikes of pale-purple honey-bearing flowers, is identical to that of wild sage. This medicinal perennial plant can also be used as an herbal tea, or to flavour food. Plant it in the sun, in well-drained soil that is not too dry in summer.

Salvia officinalis, like all sage, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is native to western Asia, but has been widespread and naturalised for a very long time around the Mediterranean. It likes well-drained, even rocky soil and tolerates the presence of limestone. Relatively water-efficient, it will perform better in soil that remains a little moist in summer.

'Tricolor' forms a small bush composed of woody, hairy stems at the base, with small, rough, lanceolate leaves irregularly spotted with white, cream, pink, and purple on a green-grey background, paler on the underside. It will reach about 40cm (16in) in all directions. Nectar-bearing and honey-rich flowering takes place in June-July, early or late depending on the climate. The flower stalks are shaped like erect spikes. They are stems with a square cross-section. The flowers are purple in their upper part, surrounded at the base by a velvety, more purplish sheathing calyx. The flowers are composed of two lips. The foliage is highly aromatic when crushed and persists even in winter. The tissues of the plant contain a highly studied essential oil, with interesting therapeutic and culinary properties.

In the garden, mix different varieties by planting some aromatic plants like sage in the middle of your perennial beds or even in rock gardens. They will integrate perfectly and fill in empty spaces without requiring much maintenance. Their scent can repel insects that may attack more delicate plants, such as certain roses or lilies. It possesses ornamental qualities that can be utilised in a natural-style garden or an herb garden. It can also be planted with, for example, shrub sage (Salvia 'Royal Bumble', S. greigii), echinops, Erigeron karvinskianus, and lavender. These are fast-growing plants that will make up a beautiful décor within 3 or 4 years.