Sage White

Sage White is a large, herbaceous perennial, sometimes called ‘bee sage’’ or ‘sacred sage.’ It can grow to 1.5 meters in ideal conditions and is one of the larger plants in the salvia family. The purple flower stalks are almost the same height again and bear small white to lavender flowers in Spring and Summer. The Latin suffix ‘apiana’ denotes bee attracting qualities.

White Sage is a ceremonial herb of the North American Indians. The white leaves are burned to cleanse the spirit and welcome positive thoughts. The culinary uses include using the leaves to flavour food and grinding up the seeds to add flour. The seeds, roots and leaves are all edible and the silvery-white leaves are highly aromatic when crushed.

White Sage has naturally low germination rate and germination can be slow: up to 60 days. It requires a sandy soil such as a soil suitable for a succulent. Moist fertile soil with a lot of compost is not suitable since it will retain water. The planting medium must drain freely. Scarify seeds with the gentle side of a nail file or fine grit sandpaper to break through the hard shell so the seed can absorb water after planting. Sow the seeds in sandy soil, barely cover and tamp gently.  Keep seeds trays warm in a strong light, watering once daily.

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