The sages are excellent herbaceous perennials, mainly for open, sunny situations. They usually have aromatic foliage and erect stems carrying many flowers, often brightly coloured.

Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland' is a first-rate compact cultivar, with deep purple-stemmed spikes of violet -blue flowers, open for a long period from the middle of summer. The flowers are set off by the grey-green, aromatic foliage. It is sometimes known as Balkan clary.