Pineapple Sage

By Stephanie Rukowicz

For the past two years I have been in charge of planting and maintaining the herb bed at my community garden. The varieties are typically predetermined by a group vote at the beginning of the season. This year, in addition to the usual suspects, a new garden member suggested pineapple sage (Salvia elegans).

He planted a 3” pot in early spring and the plant grew as quickly as he described. In just one season this sage grew quite large, taking over its corner of the bed and spilling out into the walking path. Unlike common sage that flowers in Spring, this sage variety flowers at the end of the season (photo taken in mid-October).

Pineapple sage grown from 3" pot in Spring, now enormous and flowering end of season (mid-October).

The tubular red flowers are quite decorative and delicious. I can see why some gardeners use them in salads. The community garden member who planted this salvia recommended using its leaves for tea. I brewed a cup using 4-5 leaves in boiled water, steeping about five minutes. I find it quite tasty.  

Herbal tea made from pineapple sage leaves. Brewed and consumed hot.

What a great idea this author had to use it in a container planting. With pretty foliage all summer long, and then beautiful red flowers give the container Fall interest (and Fall food for pollinators) as well.

The extension information available through Penn State also note another use: in ornamental wreaths. The foliage would be fragrant and beautiful.

Uses:

• Culinary
• Cut Flowers
• Containers (foliage throughout summer, flowers in fall)
• Pollinator food in Fall (hummingbird, honey bees, butterflies)
• Ornamental wreaths
• Dry to use for potpourri 
• Teas 

Bonnie Plants answers the question:

“Is pineapple sage used the same way as my other sage?

Pineapple sage and common sage are related. They are both salvias. Here the resemblance ends. They don’t look alike or grow alike, and they certainly do not taste the same. Consequently, their uses are different. While common sage is well known for its contribution to sausage, poultry dishes, and herb blends, pineapple sage is appealing in fruit and sweet dishes. It has a pineapple-like scent. In addition, the autumn flowers give it an ornamental role in the garden.”

Dahlia's for the perennial garden

Michele K. Koskinen



Every year I try one new annual flower in my perennial garden. Perennials are my favorites but the blooming times often leave "Holes" in blooms and color during the growing season. Changing the look of a perennial garden can be accomplished by adding annuals and  providing additional color or texture to the garden. The timing of color and bloom can also be achieved by planting perennials according to bloom time. My answer to keeping the garden interesting is planting annuals and using foliage as a backdrop..
Last year I used Cleome hassleriana, commonly known as spider flower or spider plant, this year, I think I will add Dahlia's and continue with the Cleome. Both have a distinctive texture that works well with the smooth leaves of Iris and Sedum.


The definition of the Dahlia from wilipedia:
Dahlia (UK /deɪliə/ or US /dɑːliə/)^[3] is a genus of bushy, tuberous,herbaceous perennial plants native mainly in Mexico, but also Central America, and Colombia. A member of the Asteraceae or Compositae,dicotyledonous plants, related species include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum and zinnia. There are at least 36 species of dahlia, with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. 

The over 20,000 Dahlia cultivars range from small 1" to a dinner plate size 10" and from from 1.5 to 5.5ft in height. The flower has no scent and is noted mainly for it's color and texture. Petal shapes can be as simple as a single petal around the center to the more complicated textural ball, split, twisted, tubular, curled, spider or more.
The texture and design of the dahlia is what makes it a beautiful cut flower for the gardener. Since I choose flowers for texture more than any other design element, the Dahlia should be perfect.



Dahlias, sun loving annuals, are planted in the spring and if in zone 7 or below will need to be dug up in the late fall and stored accordingly for the winter.

They like well drained soil, do not like high nitrogen content fertilizer (do not overfeed) and will need to be water deeply after the tubers have sprouted not before, and twice a week in the summer. The operative word is deeply. They should not be mulched near the crown or stem to prevent rot and should be staked as they tend to be top heavy. Cutting will make them bushier and they will produce more flowers as do many other flowering plants. So cut away for those beautiful indoor bouquets. Dahlias like Hosta may also be a slug magnet so prepare the bed to prevent the slugs from having a night snack.

And finally, for me, it will introduce another annual to my garden that will provide texture, color and interest when the perennials around it fade from view.

For more information

Growing-dahlias ADS
Growing-dahlias-in-pots
Gardening.cornell.edu