It is a hardy perennial that grows to a height of 24 to 30 inches. Leaves are grayish green and oval, with a coarse hairy surface covered with small bumps. Purple, flowers appear on tall spikes in early summer. Albiflora has tall spikes of white flowers. Aurea or golden sage, has a compact habit and variegated yellow foliage, Tricolor has variegated leaves of white, purplish red and pink.
Pineapple sage has light green leaves with a delightfully strong pineapple fragrance.
It produces scarlet flowers in the fall. Pineapple sage is the least hardy variety. Placed near the vegetable garden, sage controls cabbage moths, carrot flies, and ticks. Sage was growing wild in Southern Europe in Roman times. Roman soldiers took it north to France, Germany and Britain.