Savory Sage in October

Hummingbirds are fans of sage, or salvia, which flowers much of the year in sunny Southern California. It’s a member of the mint family, as are as oregano, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and basil. One writer called its long stemmed look “impressionistic.”

This one, blooming in October in a charming backyard garden in Leimert Park, is visited by hummingbirds and doubles as part of the kitchen herb garden.

In the fall, roast butternut squash on a bed of washed sage leaves, make sage butter and put it on fish, infuse honey with sage, or make sage tea, which is purported to have many health benefits (antioxidants!)