The Sage Tricolor, 'Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor', has green, white, and purple varigated leaves and the color intensifies in full sun. Tricolor Sage is beautiul in the garden. Salvia officinalis is the basic sage long famed for culinary and medicinal value, but it is also highly decorative in the garden. It one-ups the usual Purple Sage by mixing green, white, & purple foliage on a single pubescent-leafed plant. Tricolor Sage is an extremely drought-hardy evergreen groundcover, Tricolored Sage is a perfect plant for a low-maintenance sun-garden.
Europeans believe sage helps digest rich foods, which might account for its association with duck and game recipes there. Today sage is familiar as an essential ingredient in turkey stuffing. Crush or grind leaves to release full flavor and use to season soups, dressings, teas, cooked vegetables, and fish. To encourage a plentiful supply of young red-purple foliage gather the leaves regularly and prune lightly in July after flowering. This eye-catching variegated sage makes a perfect evergreen edge for a sunny border.