Salvia 'Newe Ya'ar' is an amazing, but little-known introduction that allows gardeners in hot, humid climates the opportunity to successfully grow culinary sage. Salvia 'Newe Ya'ar', developed at the Newe Ya'ar Agricultural Experiment Station in Israel, is a hybrid of the best performing culinary clones of Salvia officinalis and Salvia fruticosa. Salvia 'Newe Ya'ar' makes a large 3' tall x 6' wide clump of grey-green lobed foliage, topped throughout spring with spikes of small lavender flowers. Good drainage and plenty of sun are the key to success with all dryland sages. American Herb Society test cooks compared Salvia 'Newe Ya'ar' with the typically grown culinary Salvia officinalis, and Salvia 'Newe Ya'ar' stayed green after cooking and was dramatically milder and more pleasant tasting due to lower camphor levels. Did we mention that Salvia 'Newe Ya'ar' also makes a stunning ornamental? Since one parent is hardy to Zone 4 and the other Zone 9, we don't know how far north of Zone 7 this will overwinter, but even if you garden in containers, take our sage advice...you don't want to be without this fabulous new salvia.
