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Clary sage: Salvia sclarea

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Clary sage: Salvia sclarea

Large, woolly, gray leaves with spikes of almost iridescent creamy-lilac to blue flowers make self-sowing clary sage a pleasant surprise when the seedlings appear each spring. It is a biennial grown as an annual and will not flower until the second year from seed; in mid to late summer, plants go dormant. Clary sage is also a versatile herb in the kitchen.

Profile

Plant typeannual,biennial,herb
Hardiness zones5 to 9
Lightfull-sun
Height up to 3 ft.
Spread up to 18 ft.
Habiterect
Bloom timespring,summer
Flower colorlavender
Bloom size1.25 in. to 1.25 in.
Foliage colorgray-green
Foliage size9 in. to 9 in.

did you know?

In classical antiquity, sage was associated with immortality and longevity, and it was believed to increase mental capacity. The genus name, Salvia, is derived from the Latin for "salvation." For centuries, sage has been widely cultivated for its medicinal and culinary uses.

general maintenance:

To maintain a neat appearance all season, remove damaged foliage and remove plant entirely in late summer after seed has set.

how to sow/plant:

In spring, start with new plants spaced 2 feet apart, or broadcast seed and thin to 2 feet apart. Water upon planting. Plants self-sow readily and must be edited as needed.

water and fertilize:

Monitor soil all season to maintain moisture. Let soil dry between watering. Additional fertilization is not required.

features:

  • Attractive Flowers
  • Attractive Foliage
  • Disease Resistant
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Fragrant

garden uses:

  • Flowerbed borders
  • Naturalizing

other uses:

  • Culinary/Edible (use leaves and flowers as you would garden sage)
  • Cut Flower
  • Everlasting (>)
  • Potpourri (the essential oil, muscatel, is derived from clary sage)

combine with:

beebalm, feverfew, foxglove, and yarrow (Achillea) for a flowering herb or border garden.

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