Clary Sage

***Can not be shipped to Washington State***

Large "fuzzy" silver-grey leaves form a rosette, hugging the ground, and the second year it sends up handsome stalks of showy, purple and white flowers. Clary Sage can be used like common sage in foods, but also has some medicinal uses and is used in perfumes and for aromatherapy.

50 seeds

PLANTING

Salvia sclarea

Biennial, zones 6-9

Germination:  10-14 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-75ºF

Seed Planting Depth:  Sow ¼” deep

Starting Indoors:  Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-75ºF soil temperatures for germination. Sow a few seeds per individual cell or pot or start in a 20-row tray, then transplant into larger cells/pots/containers. Transplant outside after the last frost. Space 12” apart.

Sowing Outdoors: Direct sow in the spring after the last frost in a well-prepared bed.  Sow a few seeds every 4-6”. Thin to 12” apart.

Growth Habit: Upright

Height and Width: 36” x 12-18” 

Spacing:  12” apart

Light Needs: Full sun

Soil Needs: Average to fertile, well-drained. Tolerates poor soil but not wet soil

Flowering: second year, early summer

Harvest: Dried or fresh. Sprigs, starting when the plant is large enough, 10-12”. Drying- hang in bunches, out of direct sunlight, in a warm, well-ventilated area.  

Uses: Culinary, medicinal, ornamental, cut flowers, deer resistant, attracts bees and beneficials                

Care: Self-sows. Clary sage is drought-tolerant once established, but grows to its full potential when watered regularly. Tolerates some afternoon shade in hot areas.