Sage : White

Evergreen perennial shrub

Herbaceous perennial. The beautiful white foliage of this indigenous plant sets off the silver-blue flowering spikes. This is the most highly valued and revered of all North American Sages, burned ceremonially to cleanse the spirit and welcome positive thoughts. Foliage is light green to white when the plant is young, and turns very white as the plant matures, and especially after drying the leaves. The characteristic perfume of this plant is sweet and penetrating. Cut the leafy wands in the fall, semi-dry them, then tie into bundles for use during the winter. Cultivation: Sow seeds in very sandy soil and water once daily. Our seed is from northern-hardy individuals and is a vigorous germinator--normal germ time 14 days. Hardy to 20 degrees F, otherwise cultivate as an annual or bring indoors for winter. Winter survivability improves when the plant is surrounded by a deep mulch of sand at the crown--this keeps the crown warmer and drier. White sage loves a dry, sunny exposure. Plant 2 feet apart. Rosette usually grows to 2 or 3 feet tall, and flowering spikes may reach 6 feet. Also known as ‘Bee Sage’ for its attractiveness to bees and other pollinators, White Sage is an evergreen perennial shrub native to both the Southwest United States and Northwest Mexico. This tough plant blooms for over a month in late April to June, and leaves can be harvested in summer or fall when the white-leaved rosettes are at their prime. Though its use in ceremonies dates back to the ancient Babylonians, White Sage is still an important ceremonial herb among Native Americans who use it for healing, cleansing and purification rituals. Made into an incense or smudge stick, White Sage's aromatic smoke is thought to purify areas, objects and people of evil spirits and negative energy. This medicinal herb has traditionally been used to cure everything from colds to snakebites, as the plant's natural antibacterial and decongestant agents help boost the immune system and rid the body of infection. Today, White Sage is still revered as a sort of "wonder" herb for its medicinal qualities and has even been approved by the USDA as a natural cure for eczema and other skin problems. White Sage is also a terrific culinary herb and though not used as commonly as its cousin, Garden Sage, it shares a similar, savory taste. Used to season meats, stews, breads and more, White Sage is a wonderful herb to cook with and will add immune boosting vitamins and minerals to your dish.