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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender, Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling.

Physical Characteristics

Salvia_sclarea is a BIENNIAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong, warm, aromatic taste and odour[244]. They are used mainly as a flavouring in cooked foods[2, 27, 37, 105], they are similar to sage (S. officinalis)[1]. The leaves can be dipped in batter and cooked to make delicious fritters[183, 244]. Flowers - raw. A pleasant taste, they can be sprinkled on chopped salads[183, 238], or made into a tea[238]. The plant is sometimes used as a hop substitute in flavouring beer, imparting considerable bitterness and intoxicating properties[4] - it either makes people dead drunk or insanely exhilarated[244]. The leaves have also been used to adulterate wine and give it a muscatel flavour[244].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Clary has been perceived both as a weaker version of sage (Salvia officinalis) and also as a significant herb in its own right[254]. An antispasmodic and aromatic plant, it is used mainly to treat digestive problems such as wind and indigestion[254]. It is also regarded as a tonic, calming herb that helps relieve period pain and pre-menstrual problems. Owing to its oestrogen-stimulating action, it is most effective when levels of this hormone are low[254]. The whole plant, and especially the leaves, is antispasmodic, appetizer, aromatic, astringent, balsamic, carminative, pectoral and tonic[4]. It is useful in treating disorders of the stomach and kidneys and is a valuable remedy for complaints associated with the menopause, particularly hot flushing[4, 254]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, for drying they are harvested before the plant comes into flower[238]. The seed forms a thick mucilage when it is soaked for a few minutes in water. This is efficacious in removing small particles of dust from the eyes[4, 238]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Euphoric'[210].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the flowering stems. Called 'Muscatel oil', it has an ambergris aroma and is used in soaps, cosmetics, as a fixative in perfumery etc[1, 46, 74, 171, 238]. A drying oil is obtained from the seed, it is used in varnishes, paints etc[74].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Seashore. Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position[200]. Thrives on any ground that is not too wet[4]. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet[200]. Hardy to about -20°c[187]. A biennial or short-lived perennial[187]. The flowers can be air-dried and used as everlasting flowers[200]. A very ornamental plant, it is strongly aromatic and is sometimes cultivated for its essential oil, there are some named varieties[74, 183]. When bruised, the leaves release a deliciously pungent and refreshing smell of fresh grapefruit[245]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[245]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Edible, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - can be sown in situ during spring[1]. Alternatively seed can be sown in August/September to overwinter, it will then produce larger plants Thinnings can be transplanted[1]. The seed remains viable for 3 years[1].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Iran, Israel (north), Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan TROPICAL ASIA: Pakistan EUROPE: Germany, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Salvia sclarea	Clary, Europe sage, Clary Sage	Biennial/Perennial	1.0	5-9	M	LMH	N	DM	2	2	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Readers comment


	Jun 18 2011 12:00AM

In south-east England I have found S. sclarea starts flowering from mid-June. Scope for confusion because painted sage S. horminum is also known as Clary Sage, but S. sclarea has much bigger leaves and of course the flowers are quite different.

Salvia_sclarea - L.