Pine Apples

This is a very interesting herb to have in your garden, not only for the culinary reasons, but also as a showpiece flowering plant for the fall. Pineapple sage leaves can be used to add to salads, or as an add in to tea for the hint of pineapple flavor and the very noticeable fragrance of fresh pineapples but that is not its strength for the Herbanite.

Pine Apples

In zone 7 it is known for the absolute brilliant red flowers it produces in the fall for sure, and also during the summer season sporadically. Once it starts flowering there is no doubt what is and where is Pineapple sage. The plant stands out due to the flowers and can become a centerpiece for your visual delight. The flowers are also more noticeable than the other surrounding plants simply because the height of its flowering season is when other plants, especially most known solely for the beauty of the flowers, is preparing to go dormant for the winter. That is the time Pineapple sage is reaching its glory days.

Many people are not aware that the flower is actually an edible, or shall we say, a digestible!! Chefs and other at home innovative cooks like to top a white icing cake with the brilliant red flowers of pineapple sage bringing the flowers into the edible flower menu. Another innovative approach is to prepare a fruit type punch, or even a mojito, and sprinkle a few sage flowers into the glass or punch bowl to create a visually appealing drink. Some even place a few slightly crushed leaves into or around the serving piece for the fragrance of pineapple to enhance the aromatic properties of a "born at home herbal delight" drink freshly prepared and visually appealing.

In zone 7 pineapple sage is a "tender perennial" which means best to do prior to hard winter is cut back to about 1-2"s from ground, mulch over with good top set of old leaves and insure a 60-70% chance of new growth the following spring. Pineapple sage loves a direct hot sun for the best growing environment.

Bob Johnson is co-founder of the HerbFest, http://www.herbfest.net, a 10 day herb festival held annually in Wake Forest, N.C. The lifestyle festival highlights ways to incorporate herbs into everyday living.

Herbal tips on herb uses, culinary, crafting,, recipes, aromatherapy are sent free weekly to subscribers to the Herbal Lore & Legend series: http://bit.ly/herbalLoreLegend

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