Salvia verbenaca 'Wild Clary'

[Ex. Norfolk, England]

Lamiaceae: an upright, downy, almost unbranched perennial herb to 80cm. grows in dry grassland, typically on calcareous soils and often near the coast. Bluish violet flowers in whorls in compact spikes. Blooming from May-August. Rare, local in South East England only. Native to Mediterranean region to Spain, France and Britain.

USES:

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They are most often used as a flavouring in cooked foods. They are aromatic. The young leaves can be eaten fried or candied. An herb tea is made from the leaves, it is said to improve the digestion. Flowers can be used raw as a flavouring in salads.

The seed forms a thick mucilage when it is soaked for a few minutes in water. This is efficacious in removing small particles of dust from the eyes.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position. Sow seeds from March/April in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. A good bee plant.

HARVESTED:

 
APPROX. 200+ SEEDS