Thistle Sage
Salvia carduacea
Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae
What it is like
Salvia carduacea is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in July. 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): 0.7
Where it is found
Sandy and gravelly places below 1350 metres. Open grassy places.
South-western N. America - California.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Seed - raw or cooked. It can be roasted, then ground into a powder and used with other seeds as a mush. The seeds can be added to wheat to improve the flavour. It can also be used as a cooling beverage.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Prefers a rich soil. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating short periods when temperatures fall to about -3°c. An autumn-germination plant in the wild, it might succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country but is usually either grown as a spring-sown annual in Britain or grown in an alpine greenhouse. 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;
Habit: Annual/Perennial
Hardiness: 7-10
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist