Purple garden sage

Purple garden sage.

* Common name: Purple garden sage

* Botanical name: Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurea’

* What it is: Technically a herb, this fuzzy-leafed perennial has green and purple leaves and looks as good in a flower garden as in a vegetable or herb garden. Leaves are edible. Gets blue flower spikes later in the season.

* Size: 2 feet tall and wide.

* Where to use: Herb garden, vegetable garden or in any sunny pot or flower garden where you’d like a purple foliage accent. Doesn’t mind drought or rocky soil.

* Care: Cut to a stub at end of winter. Pinch off flower spikes if you don’t like them. Fertilizer usually not needed. Snip off leaves anytime you want sage for a meal.

* Great partner: Purple petunias, ornamental hot peppers and most any other herb.