Salvia multicaulis
Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae
What it is like
Salvia multicaulis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. 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): 0.3
Where it is found
Dry scrub, steppe and rocky limestone slopes to 2600 metres.
W. Asia - Iran to Turkey.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The plant is used as a condiment for tea or is prepared as a tea in boiling water. The aromatic leaves are a good substitute for common sage (Salvia officinalis) in cooking.
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 very well-drained fertile sandy soil in a sunny position. Soils rich in nitrogen encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering. Hardy to about -25°c. Another report says that the plant only tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. A low-growing plant forming mats. 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: Shrub
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist