If you reduce sage solely to garden sage, you are missing out on an unmissable we alth of magnificent species. The important question 'Is sage hardy?' is answered here for the best types of sage. There are also instructions for preparing the Mediterranean plant for winter.
Which types of sage are hardy and how do I make them winter-proof?
Some hardy types of sage are: common sage (Salvia officinalis), clary sage (Salvia sclarea), whorled sage (Salvia verticillata) and silverleaf sage (Salvia argentea). Prepare these in the bed by fertilizing, cutting and covering the root area. Potted plants should be protected with insulating materials.
The best hardy sage species – an overview
Real sage (Salvia officinalis) is considered the incarnation of a spice and medicinal plant par excellence and is the hobby gardener's favorite permanent guest in the herb garden. The evergreen subshrub pulls in its above-ground parts of the plant in autumn. The root area is winter-proof and survives the cold season undamaged to sprout again next spring. The following species and varieties also have winter hardiness:
- Clary sage (Salvia sclarea): growth height up to 110 cm, purple, red or white flowers, similar in aroma to real sage
- Whorled sage (Salvia verticillata): height 50-80 cm, blooms profusely from May to September
- Silver-leaf sage (Salvia argentea): growth height up to 70 cm, wonderful foliage perennial, winter-proof down to -28 degrees
- Sage 'Aurea' (Salvia officinalis 'Aurea'): growth height up to 60 cm, yellow-green variegated foliage, rich in essential oils
If sage is hardy, it fills gaps in the perennial bed during the cold season. This is particularly true for ornamental sage (Salvia nemorosa), which can be discovered in enchanting varieties. It doesn't matter that the leaves are not suitable for consumption.
This is how sage gets through the winter well
The attribute 'winterproof' covers a wide temperature range. Some species bravely brave the Siberian cold, while others should receive winter protection from -10 degrees Celsius. If in doubt, prepare the herb plant in the bed for the cold season like this:
- Provide with a potassium-rich fertilizer from the beginning of July to mid-August
- Stop fertilizing and cutting from the end of August
- Leave the withered branches on the plant until spring
- Cover the root area with leaves, straw or needles
If the winter weather is characterized by frost, sage is at risk of drought stress. On frost-free days, sage should be watered a little.
How to winterize sage on the balcony
For sage in pots, special precautions apply in winter due to the exposed location of the root ball. Give the herb plant this attention in time before the first frost:
- Cover the bucket with bubble wrap or jute
- Spread sawdust, leaves or straw on the substrate
Place the planter on insulating material, such as wood or Styrofoam, in front of the south wall of the house. Ideally, a bright, frost-free winter quarters is available.
Tropical sage species do not tolerate frost
When cultivating exotic sage plants, the question 'Is sage hardy?' is unnecessary. Due to their origin, species such as honeydew melon sage (Salvia elegans) or sky blue gentian sage (Salvia patens) are not naturally hardy. Take these candidates into a bright room with temperatures of 5 to 15 degrees Celsius in good time.
Tips & Tricks
Does the toxic thujone it contains bother you when you eat sage? Then plant the hardy Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulifolia) because it contains no thujone at all. Instead, the plants score with wonderful, shimmering silver foliage and a mild, aromatic taste.
