Salvia viridis

A pretty annual herb that charms with its unusual young foliage. The leaves in the upper portion of the upright stems are coloured in shades of green and purple. They are technically bracts that hold the extremely small true flowers. It has a soft and appealing effect and this, and its hybrids have a unique appeal. There are a number of cultivars that have variously coloured bracts in shades of red, pink, white and blue. The plant is aromatic. It has antiseptic properties and parts of the plant are used in cooking and for medicines. It has healing properties when used in the mouth. For culinary properties It produces an oil that can add a flavour to alcohol and the leaves can be used to flavour food.