Winter savoury, Mountain savory
Satureja montana

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb. Two kinds occur, one which is upright and the other lies over. Both kinds keep growing from year to year. They grow about 30 cm high. The leaves are dark green and shiny. The leaves are 2.5 cm long. They are sword shaped and grow from woody stems. The flowers are blue and occur in groups at the end of stalks. There are several named cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

They are Mediterranean plants. It can stand colder conditions than summer savoury. They do not suit the tropics. They do best in full sunlight. They suit well drained alkaline soils. It can grow on less rich sandy soils. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 4-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Caucasus, Croatia, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Montenegro, North Africa, North America, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

Leaves are used to flavour meats and sauces. They are used in soups, salads, stuffings, and dishes with egg, poultry, vegetables and olives. The fresh or dried leaves can be used to make tea drinks.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, flavouring, herb, leaves - tea, flowers

How it is grown

It is most easily grown from cuttings or divisions of the root. Cuttings 8-10 cm long are used and lower leaves are removed. Rooted cuttings can be planted out. Plants can be pruned back after flowering.

Plants can be stored by drying or freezing.

Its other names

Local names

Hisop, Konjski vrjesak, Sajolida, Timo, Trumza, Vrijesak bijeli

Synonyms

Clinopodium montanum (L.) Kuntze; Micromeria montana (L.) Rchb.; Saturiastrum montanum (L.) Fourr.; Thymus montanus (L.) Dum.Cours.;