A relaxing herb for the nerves with aromatic velvety leaves and lilac coloured flowers much loved by bees, this hardy biennial is used to make an essential oil. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- Loved by bees
- Aromatic
- Cottage garden herb
- Self-seeding
A strong warm aromatic herb, it is mainly used as a medicinal herb and the extracted oil is popular in aromatherapy. The leaves and flowers can both be eaten, although they do not taste of traditional sage. The seed forma mucilage when added to water which has been used to clear dusty eyes. The attractive flowers which form in the second year are attractive to pollinators.
Plant care
- Height: 60-100cm
- Type: Hardy
- Aspect: Sun
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Pink/purple
- Flowering period: July - August
Although clary sage prefers full sun, it will tolerate some shade during the day. As a biennial it puts on all the leafy growth in the first year and then sends up tall flower stalks the following year. The leaves are quite popular with slugs, but once clary has got going, the leaves grow quite big and can cope with the odd nibble.