100 miles or less: Rattlesnake Saloon

Pineapple sage, Salvia elegans, has a very sweet scent that reminds you of pineapples.  The leaves are soft and velvety, and is so beautiful growing at the corner of my front porch. 

In its native Mexico, pineapple sage is one of the three most-visited plant species by hummingbirds.  Unfortunately, by the time it blooms here, most of the hummingbirds have migrated.  This year, it didn't bloom until October.

 

Both the blossoms and leaves are edible.  I have used them for tea and to decorate cupcakes.

 Pineapple sage has been used for the treatment of depression and high blood pressure in traditional medicine. Of course, a hot cup of good herbal tea is good for just about everything.

^{I have never been successful in rooting cuttings, but the plant usually comes back every year from the roots.  I hope it stays around for a long, long time.}