Salvia glutinosa (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1m
Eventual Spread: 80cm
Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Lamiaceae
Salvia glutinosa is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with an erect, clump forming habit. Its hairy light green leaves are spear shaped shaped with serrate margins up to 13cm long and 6cm broad. Its yellow flowers are up to 5cm long, appear as terminal racemes.
Salvia glutinosa Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Salvia glutinosa, commonly known as Glutinous Sage, Jupiter’s Distaff, Jupiter’s Sage or Sticky Sage, is native to south east Europe, south west Asia to the Himalayas. In its native habitat it grows in deciduous woodlands and scrubby place. This perennial has naturalised in parts of the UK.
The etymological root of the binomial name Salvia is derived from the Latin salvare, meaning to ‘save’ or ‘heal’, in reference to its historical use as a medicinal plant. Glutinosa is derived from the Latin glutino meaning ’sticky’, in reference to the covering on this plant.
The landscape architect may find Salvia glutinosa useful as part of a low maintenance herbaceous planting scheme. Once established this plant is drought tolerant. This perennial is not attractive to rabbits.
Ecologically, Salvia glutinosa flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. This perennial is the host plant for Macrotylus quadrilineatus.
Salvia glutinosa Leaf (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Salvia glutinosa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.
Salvia glutinosa requires little maintenance.
