Balsamic Sage
Salvia tomentosa

Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

What it is like

Salvia tomentosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) 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.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Often found with Pinus brutia, Pinus nigra and Quercus pubescens in macchie, on limestone or igneous slopes to 2000 metres in Turkey.

E. Europe to W. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The leaves are used as a condiment. A tea is made from the plant. In England this tea used to be preferred to that of all other sage teas.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position. As hardy as the common sage, S. officinalis, to which it is closely related. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. grandiflora. Etling.