Salvias make up one of the largest genera on earth with over 900 species. They grow in every continent except Australia. They may be classified as annual, biennial or perennial and come in all shapes and sizes. Their colors range from the intense blue of anise sage to the fiery red of scarlet sage. Orange, yellow, cream and white are also represented.
Salvias have square or woody stems with leaves that are often woolly and aromatic.
The flowers, arranged in whorls along the stem, are held in calyces, some of which are large and attractive. The vividly colored two-lipped, tubular blooms of salvias attract hummingbirds and butterflies. We are all familiar with the Thanksgiving use of sage for seasoning, but it has other delicious uses. Sage is a natural partner with cornmeal, either in cornbread or polenta. Flowers may be eaten in salads and leaves used in fruit drinks or desserts.