White-flowered Sage

This is a beautiful and somewhat less common form of the traditional culinary sage, distinguished by its pure white flowers. The foliage is the classic pebbly, grey-green evergreen leaves that are a staple of British herb gardens for use in stuffing, sausages, and with fatty meats. The white flower spikes appear in early summer and provide a cooler, more elegant look in the garden compared to the usual purple-flowered varieties. It has the same compact, shrubby habit and reaches about 60cm in height. In the UK, it is essential to grow it in a sunny, open position with very well-drained soil to ensure its longevity. Sage can become leggy over time, so it benefit from a light pruning in spring and a trim after flowering to keep it tidy. It is very hardy once established but dislikes sitting in cold, wet soil. The white flowers are just as attractive to bees as the purple varieties, making it a great choice for a white-themed herb garden or a mixed border.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul.