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clary sage

Salvia sclarea

Perfect for pollinators
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Producing a basal rosette of hairy and scented leaves the first year and flowers the second year, Salvia sclarea is a deer-resistant biennial or short-lived perennial that produces an essential oil used to flavour vermouth, wines and liqueurs. The pink to purple floral bracts of clary sage remain showy after the white to mauve corollas fade and also attract beneficial insects including butterflies.

How to care for Salvia sclarea:

Apply a light 2-3cm (1in) mulch of garden compost in spring to help retain moisture and improve soil structure, but avoid heavy or manure-rich mulches as overly fertile conditions can reduce flowering. Water deeply when the soil begins to dry rather than little and often, especially while plants are establishing; once settled, they are fairly drought tolerant and prefer to be kept on the drier side.

Sowing instructions:

Sow in late spring to early summer onto the surface of moist seed compost and cover very lightly, keeping trays warm and bright until germination. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick out and grow on in small pots, then plant out at around 30cm (12in) spacing into a sunny, well-drained spot with moderately fertile soil.

Autumn sowing is also an option for earlier flowers the following year, as it’s a biennial.
Flowering period:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Eventual height:
1m
Eventual spread:
0.4m
Position:

Full sun

Rate of growth:

Average

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Fully hardy

Product options

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Seed Packets (only)£2.99
Named Day Delivery£10.99

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