Description
Satureja – Savory –
There are 30 annuals, semi evergreen perennials and sub-shrubs, in the Lamiaceae family, related to Rosemary and Thyme, in this genus. They are found naturally occurring throughout the Northern Hemisphere, in dry, sunny sites and often found on cliffs. They are grown for their aromatic leaves, which are opposite, linear to lance shaped or egg to oblong to spoon shaped, and for their cyme like or spike like inflorescence, these consist of whorls of stalkless, tubular, 2 lipped flower, borne in summer, which are attractive to bee’s and other insects. Suitable for growing in a mixed border or rock garden or dry bank. S. hortensis and S. montana are used as culinary herbs.
Grow in moderately fertile, well drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter moisture. Cut back old shoots of sub-shrubs in early spring.
S. montana ‘Nana’ – Winter Savory – This compact, semi evergreen, dwarf subshrub from grows 16-18″ tall and 8″ wide. It produces opposite, stalkless, oval to lanceolate shaped, leathery, pointed, smooth or sparsely hairy, dark green leaves, up to 1 1/4″ long, which take n a purplish tinged in winter. For long periods throughout summer, it bears whorls of up to 14 lavender-pink to purple flowers, to 3/8″ long, in dense, upright spikes. Regular pruning promotes new growth and prevent legginess.
Zones 5-8
