Shop for Sage Seeds Sage is a decorative evergreen shrub with downy foliage that varies in color from gray to gray-green, with one variety producing deep purple leaves. Plants can reach a height of 2 feet with a spread of 18 inches. Cultivation Sage prefers a sunny location with alkaline soil. It grows best in a warm climate. Propagate from summer cuttings taken with a heel or by layering established branches in spring and fall.
Seed is unreliable and slow to flower.
Keep the plant well pruned to encourage young shoots with a strong flavor. Pruning also keeps the plants from becoming leggy and twiggy. Culinary Uses Use in sauces and stuffings for fatty meats such as goose, duck, pork and sausage. In Italy, the fresh leaves are lightly fried with liver, and rolled up with ham and veal in saltimbocca. In Germany and Belgium, the leaves are added to eel and other oily fish dishes.