Woodland sage (Salvia sylvestris)
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −28.9 °C
Cultivation
An easily grown plant. Hardy to about -20°c. If the plants are dead-headed after flowering they will normally flower again later in the summer. There are several named forms selected for their ornamental value. This species is well suited to the wild garden, growing well in the summer meadow. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagation
Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. In areas where the plant is towards the limits of its hardiness, it is best to grow the plants on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season.
Edible uses
The aromatic leaves are used as an adulterant for sage as a food flavouring.
Habitat
Rocky slopes, dry meadows and rough ground.
Native range
Europe to W. Asia.