Blackcurrant Sage Salvia 'Jackson's Cassis'

Names

• Family

  Lamiaceae

• Synonyms

  Jackson's Cassis Sage, Jackson's Cassis Salvia

• Common names

  Salvia 'Jackson's Cassis'

Toxicity

• To humans

  The plant Salvia, commonly known as sage, typically exhibits low toxicity for humans. However, it’s important to note that specific varieties may have varying levels of toxicity, and Salvia 'Jackson's Cassis' may not have been extensively studied for this aspect. Generally, ingesting sage in small culinary amounts is considered safe. In larger doses, certain types of sage can cause symptoms due to the presence of thujone, a compound found in some Salvia species. Symptoms could include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and rapid heart rate. If large quantities are ingested, there might be a risk of more severe effects, including neurological symptoms. Always exercise caution and consult a health professional if you suspect poisoning from any plant.

• To pets

  Sage, the common name for Salvia, is not typically considered highly toxic to pets. However, as with its use in humans, caution should be exercised because different varieties and large quantities might lead to adverse effects. Symptoms of sage poisoning in pets could include gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. There might also be central nervous system signs such as depression or changes in behavior if a pet consumes a significant amount of the plant. If you have concerns about your pet’s exposure to Salvia 'Jackson's Cassis', it is advisable to contact your veterinarian.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Semi-deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  Pink

• Height

  2 feet (60 cm)

• Spread

  2 feet (60 cm)

• Plant type

  Shrub

• Hardiness zones

  8

• Native area

  Cultivar

General Benefits

• Attracts Pollinators: It's attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, enhancing pollination in your garden.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant color and texture to garden beds and borders with its deep purple flowers and lush foliage.
• Deer Resistant: Less likely to be eaten by deer, making it a good choice for areas with deer populations.
• Long Blooming: Provides a long season of blooms usually from late spring to frost, adding consistent beauty to the garden.
• Culinary Use: Some salvia varieties are used in cooking, although it's essential to ensure that a specific cultivar is edible before consuming.
• Easy to Propagate: Can be easily propagated from cuttings or division, allowing gardeners to expand their plantings.
• Herbaceous Perennial: As a perennial, it will return year after year, providing long-term structure in garden design.
• Containers and Borders: Suitable for growing in containers or along borders for versatile garden placement.
• Companion Planting: Can be combined with other perennials to create a dynamic, varied garden ecosystem.

Medical Properties

This plant is not used for medical purposes.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Culinary coloring: The flowers of Salvia 'Jackson's Cassis' can be used to infuse vinegars, giving them a soft pinkish-purple hue, adding an interesting color dimension to salads and marinades.
• Natural dye: The pigments in the blooms can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of pink to violet colors depending on the mordant used.
• Crafting: Dried flowers can be incorporated into potpourris, or used to decorate candles and create botanical paper for scrapbooking and other paper crafts.
• Garden aesthetics: It can be used in moon gardens, as its light-colored flowers tend to glow in the moonlight, enhancing the nighttime garden experience.
• Floral arrangements: Both fresh and dried flowers can be used in floral arrangements to add a splash of color and a unique form to bouquets.
• Photography backdrops: The plant can provide a lush, colorful backdrop for garden photography, particularly macro photography due to its intricate blooms.
• Educational tool: The plant can be used in educational settings such as schools and nature centers to teach about plant lifecycle, pollination, and the importance of bees in gardens.
• Erosion control: It can be planted on slopes or areas prone to erosion to help stabilize the soil with its root system.
• Artistic inspiration: The striking appearance can inspire artists and can be used as a subject for paintings, drawings, and other forms of visual art.
• Theme gardens: Salvia 'Jackson's Cassis' can be used to create a themed garden space, such as a 'wine lovers' garden, due to its name which evokes the color of blackcurrants used in making cassis liqueur.

Feng Shui

The Salvia is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Salvia is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Healing: Salvias, also known as sages, are often associated with healing due to their extensive use in medicine and herbal remedies across different cultures.
• Wisdom: The name 'sage' is synonymous with wisdom, and as such, salvia plants can symbolize the pursuit of knowledge and the wisdom that comes with experience.
• Longevity: Salvia plants are perennials, which return year after year, making them a symbol of enduring life and immortality.
• Protection: In some traditions, salvia is believed to have protective qualities, warding off evil and providing a safe space.
• Sacred: Certain types of salvia are considered sacred plants for their roles in spiritual rituals and ceremonies, symbolizing a connection to the divine.