Sage

Sage 'Berggarten'

Soft yet powerful – this best describes the character of Sage 'Berggarten'. This special cultivar from Hannover-Herrenhausen has proven to be a genuine enrichment in my garden. With its generous, robust leaves, it clearly distinguishes itself from its relatives. What makes it special? It remains pleasantly sparse in flowers, impresses with its distinctive texture and intense coloration – all while showing remarkable robustness and winter hardiness. Its aroma? Simply magnificent.

A Year-Round Eye-Catcher

The 'Berggarten' maintains its attractiveness throughout all seasons. Its sage-green leaves harmonize wonderfully with plants of contrasting textures, creating exciting garden compositions. Since this variety rarely flowers, attention remains focused on its expressive foliage.

Care is delightfully uncomplicated: A radical pruning down to the base in April is sufficient to keep the plant youthful and vital. This prevents the typical "aging" or breaking apart often observed in older sage plants. After this rejuvenation treatment, it develops splendidly and quickly becomes a garden highlight once again.

Culinary Versatility

In the kitchen, sage reveals its full potential. The aroma of 'Berggarten' is particularly balanced – it combines a pleasant spiciness with velvety mildness, without drifting into bitterness. It harmonizes excellently with pork and poultry, while it should be used more sparingly with lamb.

My personal discovery: Spaghetti with fresh lemon zest and fried sage leaves in a butter-olive oil mixture – simple, yet with astonishing depth of flavor! Another highlight from my kitchen is a sage purée that I refine with lemons and a pinch of sugar into a refreshing Granita al Limone. As an intermezzo between courses of a menu, it provides a pleasant refreshment and literally "unknots" the palate.

More Than Just a Kitchen Herb

Sage can do far more than just refine food: As a proven remedy, it soothes minor injuries or inflammations. Crushed leaves, applied as a paste to affected areas, unfold their soothing effect. In numerous cultures, sage symbolizes wisdom, protection, and health – not without reason its name derives from the Latin "salvare" (to heal). In traditional folk medicine, it was considered a versatile remedy for a wide range of ailments.

A Color with a Name

Sage has even managed to become the namesake of its own color shade: "Sage Green" – a soft, calming green that perfectly combines with neutral tones like beige or delicate gray. This coloration radiates tranquility and harmoniously integrates into natural garden designs – just like the Sage 'Berggarten' itself.

Enjoyment with Care

An important note: Due to its thujone content, sage should be enjoyed with care, as this ingredient can develop unwanted effects in larger quantities. Consumption in culinary typical amounts, however, is completely safe.

Conclusion: A Garden Treasure with Many Talents

Whether as a structural element in the garden, as an aromatic artist in the kitchen, or as a proven medicinal plant in the home pharmacy – Sage 'Berggarten' demonstrates impressive versatility. A plant that should not be missing in any garden and that enriches every location with its character!