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#119371 Aug 27th, 2007 at 02:47 PM
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The last 2 summers (not this one) I grew a few pots of pineapple sage, mostly for the hummingbirds who really love this plant, but also because I really like the way the leaves smell when rubbed.

The BIG drawback is, that in our area, they don't bloom until this time of year, when the hummers are actually getting ready to head south and don't benefit all that much from the flowers. Also, this plant is hard to find to purchase around here - maybe for that reason? And they took up a lot of room - too much for such a late bloomer.

Anyway... I had some large windowboxes that I did not bother planting on the deck this summer. Don't know why exactly... I just wasn't motivated to do that. But... the pineapple sage plants were never in them anyway.

So, at the beginning of summer, there were a few "plants?" "weeds?" poking out from the bottom windowbox - they are just stacked on top of each other on our small patio. Never wanting to pull out a possible "good" plant, I left them alone all summer.

Imagine my surprise when I saw this, this afternoon!
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[Linked Image]...[Linked Image]

And yes... this IS a red flower, and I know I said I don't "do" red flowers...
but I have done this one for my hummers! luv
Guess I'll be leaving them where they are growing - I don't think they like transplanting too well, especially this late in our season.


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plants 'n pots #119377 Aug 27th, 2007 at 03:00 PM
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Yes, The pineapple sage self sows like crazy, Lynne. I've never replanted after purchasing the original plant but my hummers feast well. It also doesn't bloom until late in our climate. But we get hummers that stay year round too.


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Tina #119392 Aug 27th, 2007 at 03:30 PM
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Interesting, Tina - in the previous 2 years that I've grown it, I've never had a return plant before. Maybe they self sow more readily in your warmer climate? I'm hoping to get some seeds this time, so I can start them indoors a bit earlier next spring. I wasn't into doing any seeds this year, aside from wonder eggs - it was just that kind of year...

I just wish it would bloom a bit earlier so the hummers get full benefit of it, ya know?


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plants 'n pots #119401 Aug 27th, 2007 at 03:58 PM
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I have no idea what the seeds look like. Maybe the birds around you found all the seeds the first year or so. They do like them. And deposit them elsewhere. I love the smell of pineapple sage also. It is my favorite sage for scent/taste.


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Tina #119530 Aug 27th, 2007 at 07:53 PM
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thumbup that's cool lynne, i've never really seen that plant!

#119683 Aug 28th, 2007 at 05:29 AM
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I got a pineapple sage at a farmers market one year. The man had it all trimmed down. Nice & bushy in its little pot. He tells me how to snip it to keep it that way. rolz Me & my friend tell him nope, stick it in the garden and klet it go nuts, for the hummers. He had NO idea it would even flower! lol

I wouldnt bother to transplant ether Lynne. Since they're doing fine where they are, leave them alone.
If you get seeds, can you start them inside somewhere very early so they're that much closer to bloom when you put them out in the spring? A nice sunny window somewhere?


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Wrennie #119793 Aug 28th, 2007 at 08:36 AM
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Quote
I wouldnt bother to transplant ether Lynne. Since they're doing fine where they are, leave them alone.
If you get seeds, can you start them inside somewhere very early so they're that much closer to bloom when you put them out in the spring? A nice sunny window somewhere?


Yep - that was exactly my plan, if I am lucky enough to get some seeds.

Speaking of seeds, the goldfinches are really going to town on my coneflower seeds ALREADY!!! This is pretty early for them - I hope I get at least a few, as I promised them to someone. I hope this isn't an indication that it's going to be a rough winter?


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plants 'n pots #120605 Aug 29th, 2007 at 02:35 PM
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I think its more an indicaton that the seeds are ripe! Also the goldfinch are breeding now. have to keep everyone fed!


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Wrennie #120892 Aug 30th, 2007 at 07:17 AM
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Thanks for that info, Wrennie - I didn't know they breed now!


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plants 'n pots #122285 Sep 1st, 2007 at 07:20 PM
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I just had to post these pictures that I took this afternoon. The sun was shining on these flowers so nicely that while I was doing laundry I kept looking out the sliding doors to get another glance - even though I really do not like red flowers, I am loving these!

[Linked Image]...[Linked Image]


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plants 'n pots #122745 Sep 2nd, 2007 at 04:17 PM
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Okay This is gonna sound really silly But what actually can you use pinapple sage for.......... as far as cooking???? OR is it even used in the kitchen at all?? it is certainly a nice looking plant tho!!!


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angelblossom #122748 Sep 2nd, 2007 at 04:29 PM
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It is delicious in salad dressings, toss it in w/fruit salads. My fav is in w/plain rice. Anywhere where a touch of that fruity flavor will enhance. The more you use the more flavor you get and the heavenly scent too. I dice it small for most things. Want to add a zippy color? Use both flowers and leaves.
I have never dried it and don't know if it retains flavor that way.


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Tina #122790 Sep 2nd, 2007 at 06:04 PM
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ohhhhhhhhhh wow the rice with it sounds really good! Thanks TIna


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angelblossom #124773 Sep 6th, 2007 at 08:28 AM
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and it smells sooo gooood!

Mrs.Bradley #138663 Oct 9th, 2007 at 06:30 AM
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Lynne I have a couple of them, when on the plant is the seeds, my is just now blooming.lisa

nut #138664 Oct 9th, 2007 at 06:35 AM
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Funny you should ask, Lisa! I just spent an hour yesterday trying to get all the tiny seeds out from the flower stalks. I waited until the flower stalks turned a bit brown - I didn't wait until they were all brown and crispy because I didn't want to lose the seeds to the ground. I cut off the flower stalks and carefully brought them inside and then rubbed my hand up and down the stem over a white paper towel. The tiny seeds fell among other stuff, and I carefully picked out each seed.

Isn't it a shame that they bloom so late in the season? They are so pretty and the hummingbirds love them, but my hummers are long gone now.


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plants 'n pots #138667 Oct 9th, 2007 at 06:42 AM
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Lynne thank
now I will save seeds,( got my plants atwork we don't do them,by ALA send them up to ship to stores and we don't get every year) now i can grow every year the plant is hard to find here,you can find pineapple mint,but not sage. Have not saw a hummingbird in about 2 weeks here.

nut #139354 Oct 10th, 2007 at 04:14 PM
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Lynne, are you going to include some seeds in the fall exchange? Are you even involved in the fall seed exchange?




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