That's about right for a 1.5 cubic foot bush. I'd use about double for a robust microphylla. The really big broad-leaf sages probably can use four tablespoons, spread under the plant in a 1.5 foot radius and then covered with some mulch, or worked into the soil about one half inch.

The last action is to maintain a fairly steady humidity around the pellets , so they don't pop from totally drying out. When you see Osmocote that has been stored wet, then dried, there will be a lot of mini popcorn bits, caused by the rupture of the outer osmotic skin during drying. This reduces the value to ordinary fertilizer.