A SAGE IDEA

T here are as many as 900 sage species. It is a wonderfully pungent perennial herb that has been used medicinally and in cooking throughout the ages. A tea to alleviate indigestion can be made from young, soft sage leaves. Simply steep a few leaves in fresh boiled water and sip slowly.

Salvia officinalis, or common sage, is the best to use in cooking because it has a subtler flavour than some of the other sage varieties, which can be too strong and more camphor-like in taste. Purple sage is very pretty among the flower beds, creating contrast and texture.

Sage can be planted in a more sandy type of soil and must have good drainage in full sun. The plant will start to get woody after a few years or so; chop it up and add to the compost heap then plant new seedlings in a different place for best results.

Good companion plants with sage are tomatoes, beans, carrots and grapes, but don’t grow near cucumbers because they will inhibit each other’s growth.

Rosemary grows well next to sage and together they will attract lots of bees to the garden. Be careful not to let the bed become soggy and waterlogged, or the sage will die.

It is a great container plant and pineapple sage will brighten any balcony with its vibrant red spikes. The edible red flowers can be tossed into a summer fruit salad to add interest.

A delicious liqueur can be made from sage leaves and eau de vie. A small glass of this soothing liqueur can be sipped as a digestif after dinner.