Salvia dorisiana aka Fruity Sage

Salvia dorisiana comes from Honduras in Central America. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Gardeners call it peach sage or fruit-scented sage. This tender perennial forms a bush with many branches. Its stems turn woody near the base. It keeps some leaves through the year, rather than staying fully evergreen.

Garden plants reach about 3.3–4.9 feet (1–1.5 metres) tall. Reports range from 3.3 feet (1 metre) to that upper garden size. They spread about 1.6–3.3 feet (0.5–1 metre). Plants take two to five years to reach full size. Soft hairs coat the pale green, heart-shaped leaves. Touching or crushing them releases a strong fruit scent. Gland-bearing hairs give much of the plant its scent. The smell recalls pineapple and grapefruit. Large magenta-pink flowers have a bright green calyx. Each bloom can reach about 0.16 feet (0.05 metres) long. Hummingbirds pollinate the flowers.

Grow this sage in sun or light, dappled shade. Choose a sheltered site with moist soil that drains well. Loam suits it, and it accepts acid, neutral, or alkaline soil. Soil rich in organic matter also suits its needs. It dislikes dry ground and excess wet in winter. Under glass, use peat-free potting compost and give ample light. Shade it from hot sun in this setting. The RHS gives it a UK hardiness rating of H3. Long spells below 5°C can check its growth. It may survive brief dips to about −2°C. Cold can kill the top growth, yet the base may sprout again.

Its scented leaves suit pots, patios, and borders near paths. The RHS also suggests sheltered coastal, courtyard, and wildlife gardens. Prune in spring; a hard cut can prompt fresh growth. Take softwood cuttings in spring or firmer cuttings in late summer. Pests seldom cause trouble, but several diseases can occur. Watch for powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, and foot or root rot. Honey fungus is a less frequent risk.

The leaves and flowers have food uses as flavourings. Add them to salads, fruit dishes, dressings, or cold drinks. The leaves also make tea and can be dried for storage. Dried leaves keep their scent for wreaths and potpourri. Leaf extracts also have uses in skin-care products. The sources report no known hazards or established medicinal uses. That lack of reported hazards does not establish safety for pets.