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I am growing sage for the first time and would like to know if I should leave it to flower or remove the flower buds.
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You use the leaves, so to produce more of them remove the flower buds. If you let the plants flower they will concentrate on producing seeds instead of usable leaves. -
Thanks Rusty lady I will remove them first thing tomorrowComment
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If you have more than one plant I would let one of them flower as they really are a joy to behold!
You may be able to gather some seed from it for the future as they are a fairly short lived perennial!
If you only have one plant though, deffo do as Rusty lady says!
My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
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Thanks Snadger I have 3 plants so I think I will let the smaller of them flower and then I will still have 2 large plants to use.Comment
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I've got some venerable sage bushes - planted them when we moved here 7 years ago from cuttings from the old garden. They've never flowered. Now I think I'm missing something! Maybe I eat too much of them and nip the shoots out before they get the chance.Last edited by Flummery; 23-05-2007, 08:31 AM.Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.
www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - SpringComment
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These are seeds sown middle of March and grown on the window sill until end of April when they were planted outside. Looked a bit sorry for themselves before we went away but a week later we came home to the start of flowers and plants that had doubled in size.Comment
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I let mine flower they attract bees and butterflies in abundance. My sage bush is 15 years old (short-lived!?) and has more than enough leaves on it to keep us happy if we dry them and keep in airtight jars!!Originally posted by Snadger View PostIf you have more than one plant I would let one of them flower as they really are a joy to behold! You may be able to gather some seed from it for the future as they are a fairly short lived perennial!
If you only have one plant though, deffo do as Rusty lady says!If someone approaching you does not have a smile on their face...give them one of yours.Comment
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I should have started a poll for the longest living sage bush........any advance on 15 years?Originally posted by Mr Gummidge View Post
My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
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I'd be interested to know if the ones I planted at the tender age of 11 are still going. Although that would only be 10 years wouldn't it (LOL!) Our current ones are about 5-6 yrs old and still going strong although they get a good and regular haircut, same as the lavender. I do occasionally threaten to replace but have had little need. The ones I've grown from saved seed have been put in on the lottie.Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.
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I had a huge purple sage in my previous house - dont know how long it was there before me but I had it for 8 years, then it went very woody so I tried to prune it and killed it! hey ho,you live and learn! I used to let it flower too, there were so many leaves it didnt make any difference and the bees/butterflies loved it. Next year it will be the second thing going into my new perennial herb bed (the first being rosemary!).Life may not be the party we hoped for but since we're here we might as well dance
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My 7 year old ones get woody so I give them a regular haircut when they try to take over the patio. I've found I can cut into quite old wood and they still re-grow. Never had a flower though.
Last edited by Flummery; 25-05-2007, 09:08 AM.Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.
www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - SpringComment
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Hi Flummery,Originally posted by Flummery View PostMy 7 year old ones get woody so I give them a regular haircut when they try to take over the patio. I've found I can cut into quite old wood and they still re-grow. Never had a flower though.
You can try to root your sage from it's woody stalks, I done it before, it works. My friend has a sage plant aged more than 20 years. It has been there since she moved in 20 years ago ... they are long live herbs like rosemary. but young ones are more compact with leaves.
MomolI grow, I pick, I eat ...Comment
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