6 Different Types of Sage

Sage is an aromatic herb used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Not all of the varieties detailed here are used for culinary purposes; some simply make an attractive flower. Either way, these six different types of sage vary in color and use, but all of them make a wonderful addition to any garden.

Garden Sage - This is the most common type of sage. It can be used for cooking, for brewing tea or simply for decoration. It is very hardy, and even after a long winter will come back more prolific the next year. Time seems to give this herb intensified production. Garden sage is silvery green with soft leaves, and can be used in cooking either fresh or dried. It will also attract beneficial garden insects if you leave some untouched on the ground.

Pineapple Sage - A perennial flower with tubular red flowers, salvia elegans, better known as pineapple sage, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Not known for its culinary uses, pineapple sage is thought to have medicinal effects, possessing antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties.

Russian Sage - Another perennial plant, Russian sage has silver-gray leaves and produces small, blue or lavender tubular flowers. It's not a culinary form of sage. In fact, it's not even in the sage genus, nor does it come from Russia. It's actually native to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Purple Sage - Less hardy than garden sage, purple sage will nonetheless survive outdoors even in cooler climates. Once it is established--and if it is protected in the winter--it will come back in bloom the following year. Grow it in your garden for a dash of purple when you're mixing and matching different flowers for effect.

Golden Sage - Not merely a culinary herb, golden sage is used in many gardens as a strictly ornamental plant. It is about as hardy as purple sage, so it must be protected throughout the winter, but once it is established it will come back.

Berggarten Sage - This variety of sage is very similar to garden sage, except that it's bred so it will not flower. This hybrid sage will continue to produce soft, silvery green leaves for culinary and aromatic uses.

TIP: Doityourself.com's expert gardening advisor, Kathy Bosin suggests you might also like our article on How to Dry Sage Leaves.

If you're a gardener, herbs offer a great variety of culinary, aromatic and ornamental uses. Sage is one of the hardiest additions to any garden, and because there are so many varieties, you can enjoy the best of all its uses. Since it's a perennial, if you protect sage throughout the cold season, it will come back strong the following year.