Up close and immature, Greek Sage looks a lot like Garden Sage. However, it grows quite a bit taller than Garden Sage and has a unique flavor with strong camphor over-tones that not everyone finds appealing.

The leaf below with its three main parts shows where the former specie name tri (three) loba (lobes or leaves) came from.

A member of the Lamiaceae family, Greek Sage exhibits the typical hairy or tomentose coverings on its leaves and stems. This picture also shows the square stem which is characteristic of this large family of plants which includes, not only salvias, but also mints, oreganos, lavenders and rosemary.

These hairs provide shade for the leaves which allows the plant to endure hot, dry summers typical of its native Greece, where  a healthful tea known as Faskomilo tea is made from Greek Sage.

Plant Greek Sage where it can get about six hours of sun each day during the growing season. Good drainage is important to ensure the plant does not succumb to rot during winter rains.

The photo on the left shows a Greek Sage in spring, about two feet tall and about a foot wide, it was planted the summer before from one of our three inch pots.  

These young tender shoots are perfect for adding fresh to any recipe calling for Sage. The unique flavor will add a little extra zing to stuffings, poultry, bread or cheese. Greek Sage can be dried and should be used at about half the amount of fresh Sage. 

This first spring it will be only a couple of feet tall in bloom. When mature it will reach four feet with its flowers. 

As you can see below the buds of Greek Sage start out a peachy apricot and unfurl to show  perfectly white lips with an interior lavender lining.