purple sage

[debster]

is it edible, i picked a lovely one up from a plant sale by the roadside and it smells gorgeous?
thanks for your answers (cos i know you will know lol)

[debster]

[hellohelenhere]

Yes, it's edible, and it's also good for a gargle if you have a sore throat (make a strong tea.)
Here are some medicinal sage recipes:
http://www.grandmas-wisdom.com/sage-tea.html

Also, it says on this page - http://www.superbherbs.net/sage.htm - that 'Purple sage is the most effective sage medicinally, but it is less hardy (Zone 7) than the garden variety. It can be brought indoors for winter to a bright, ventilated area.'

I'm assuming that you are talking about actual Purple Sage and not some other garden flower that has stolen the name. :D

[debster]

well its smells exactly like sage when you rub the leaves so im guessing it is sage, there were other herbs there for sale

[Pescador]

Perfectly edible, Debster, as is the variegated type.
haven't found any problems with hardiness here in the Midlands.

[RosieMcPosie]

uh oh, Ive planted mine out in one of the beds... I thought it was a hardy type herb like mint, chives etc? will it die if I leave it out over winter? :s

[Hyacinth]

I'm in the midlands too, and I've two massive purple sage bushes which go on...and on...and on.. yep, Debs, perfectly edible and doesn't seem to lose its leaves in the winter, either, like my green sage sometimes does. But I can't recall the bushes ever flowering like the 'ordinary' sage does. Anyone else notice this?

[RosieMcPosie]

ah, phew! thanks, Hyacinth, i feel much better now :) xx

[Hyacinth]

Rosie, if you want to play safe, it roots cuttings in water ever so easily. That's how I got my second one and a couple of others I've given away :)

[RosieMcPosie]

brilliant, thanks for that tip! i will have a couple as back up soon then hopefully!

[Biscombe]

Sage tea helps during the time of the month!

[hellohelenhere]

Looking it up, I think Zone 7 is hardy enough for most parts of the UK, most of the time:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_7
Can tolerate temps down to -17.

That American system of zones encompasses some very cold climates withing the USA.

[1066]

I never seem to have much luck in over wintering sage, not exactly sure why, possibly wet winters are the main problem. I'm going to try again this year as I love the purple sage plant in the garden, and now I know how to take cuttings I could keep 'em in the placcy greenhouse over winter - so Thanks for the info Hyacinth
1066

[Hyacinth]

setting off new plants - you can do it easily by taking a piece with a 'heel' also...I did the water rooting accidentally with new growth 8) - I'd added some to my kitchen cut herb pot (cos I live in an upstairs flat & don't want to do the 100m dash just for a sprig of parsley...) and that's when I found it rooted easily.  Basil does, too, btw...

[1066]

I love it when good things happen by accident! And it reminds me of years ago in my old flat, and not wanting to go down the steps to the garden on a rainy day!