Salvia officinalis Tricolor - Tricolored Culinary Sage

Salvia officinalis is the culinary sage. Salvia officinalis Tricolor is a variety that has three colored leaves. The young leaves come in purple and then age to cream on grey followed by white on grey. Ornamental as it may be Salvia officinalis Tricolor cooks the same as its less colorful brethren. Salvia officinalis Tricolor has lavender flowers in the Spring, though they hardly keep up with the foliage color for ornamental value. Salvia officinalis Tricolor prefers well drained soil and a sunny spot in the garden. Salvia officinalis Tricolor is less hardy than the purple which is less hardy than the straight species. Salvia officinalis Tricolor is a perennial that becomes woody as it ages. Pruning back older foliage keeps the plants fresh. Salvia officinalis Tricolor is a great addition to the Butterfly Garden attracting the Coudless Sulfur, the California Dogface, the Sara Orangetip, the Umber Skipper Butterfly, and the Northern White Skipper as well as the Hummingbird Garden.