Sage

Plant in a sunny, sheltered position with well-drained, even poor soil. Sage thrives on neglect and produces more aromatic leaves in lean conditions. Avoid rich, moist soil — this encourages soft, disease-prone growth. Water sparingly once established; sage is very drought-tolerant. Do not mulch around the base, as this traps moisture and causes stem rot. In containers, use a gritty, loam-based compost. Harvest leaves throughout the year, picking young shoots for the best flavour. Sage leaves can be dried or frozen for winter use. The coloured cultivars (purple sage, golden sage) are slightly less hardy and benefit from a sheltered position and winter protection with fleece in cold regions. Replace plants every four to five years when they become woody and unproductive.

Prune lightly in spring after the last frost, cutting back the previous year's growth by about half. Never cut into old bare wood — sage rarely regrows from it. After flowering, remove spent flower spikes. Regular light pruning keeps plants compact.