It is bumble bee heaven in our new herb beds in the Torridon kitchen garden right now. In particular, the bed we planted with the annual sage Clary (Salvia sclarea) is proving a hit with the bees. Its small blue purple flowers attract them with their nectar. It is also an attractive herb for gardeners with its simplicity of growing and for its colourful pink and blue bracts with a column of smaller-lipped flowers on its stems. Essential oils extracted from the plant can be used in bath lotions as well as in a tea for eye washes. It is also a calming herb, good for creative people and said to give courage for new work and enterprise. Clarity through simplicity.