Spanish Sage
Salvia lavandulifolia

Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae

What it is like

Salvia lavandulifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. 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 hills and slopes amongst bushes.

S.W. Europe - Spain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The aromatic leaves are used as an adulterant for the common sage. They are used as a substitute for sage in commercial food flavourings. A sage-like tea is made from the dried leaves. The plant is a source of an essential oil that is used commercially to flavour ice cream, sweets, baked goods, chewing gum, soft drinks etc.

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: 3

The leaves are alterative, antiseptic, astringent, depurative, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge and tonic. They are used internally in the treatment of digestive and respiratory complaints, menstrual problems, infertility, nervous tension and depression. This remedy should not be prescribed to pregnant women. The leaves can be harvested as required and used fresh, or they can be harvested before the flowers open and dried or distilled for their essential oil.

Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Digestive: Aids digestion.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

The essential oil obtained from the leaves is used in perfumery and to perfume soaps and cosmetics.

Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny position. Soils rich in nitrogen encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowering. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. It is as hardy as common sage, S. officinalis, to which it is closely related. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. The leaves have a pungent lavender scent. 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: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. hispanorum. Lag.