Apple Sage
Salvia pomifera
Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae
What it is like
Salvia pomifera is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Rocky slopes, limestone cliffs and macchie from sea level to 800 metres in Turkey.
S. Europe - Greece, Turkey and Crete.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
The leaves have a strong odour and flavour, resembling lavender and common sage. They are used as an adulterant of sage as a commercial food flavouring. An infusion of the herb is used to make a tea. Very fragrant, it is called 'fascomiglia'. Semi-transparent galls are formed on the plant as a result of gall wasps invading the young branches. These galls are made into a kind of conserve or sweetmeat by crystallizing them in sugar and this is regarded as a great delicacy by the Greeks. They have an agreeable and astringent flavour. We are not sure if the galls are used before or after the insect has departed.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 2
An infusion of the dried leaves is used medicinally in Greece. The report does not give any details as to the uses, but does say that in excess the tea causes profuse perspiration, languor and even faintness. The leaves are said to have the same properties as common sage (S. officinalis), but to be stronger in their action. These properties are antihydrotic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, galactofuge, stimulant, tonic and vasodilator.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Other
Rating:
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
How it is grown
Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Prefers a rich soil. Soils rich in nitrogen encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagating it: Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. In areas where the plant is towards the limits of its hardiness, it is best to grow the plants on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; South Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist