Bethel sage flowers from mid-summer through to the beginning of winter.  (Longer in mild climates.)

The flowers  are large, striking clusters of beetroot coloured balls and tubes.

A long-legged fly resting on a bethel sage leaf . Long legged flies are highly beneficial garden insects.

Its leaves are bright green with stalks and veins the same colour as the flowers.

A newly hatched monarch butterfly sunning on a bethel sage flower.

Bethel sage:

• Grows to around 1.5m high  x 1m wide.
• Grows in full sun to light shade.
• Does well in ordinary to moist conditions but will need to be deep watered once a week in very dry summers.
• Dies down in winter.  The canes can be left on the plant to protect the crown over winter then cut back to ground level at the beginning of spring.

A bumblebee waiting for the day to warm up.