Sage

In the warmest gardens, this Mexican species is a fine perennial, dying down in autumn and usually protected with a mulch of bark against winter frosts. Elsewhere it has often been grown as a greenhouse pot plant, and makes an impressive shrubby plant in a 25cm (10in) container. It is easily raised from seed, however, for planting out as late summer bedding, particularly effective when the soft 'Cambridge Blue' variety is combined with bedding dahlias. The tuberous roots can be dried and stored like dahlias, to make larger plants in the second year. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Looks good with:

Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Silver'
Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Variegata'