Salvia sclarea L. var. turkestanica

biennial clary

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: May to August
• Flowering colour: white with pink flecks
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  From spring to summer the branching, pink flower-spikes are crowded with pink-flecked, white flowers, each held with a prominent lilac bract. These stand above the large, aromatic, mid-green leaves, which can grow up to 23cm long. Coping well in sun or light dappled shade, the blooms are a magnet for bees.
  
  
• Garden care:Sow the seeds shallowly in seed trays filled with good seed compost and when the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin out and pot on individually into small pots. Plant out at 30cm intervals into a well-prepared, sunny bed with moderately fertile, well-drained soil. To prolong flowering remove the flower spikes as soon they start to fade. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring. When watering, it is best to give the plants a really thorough soak when the soil gets dry, rather than applying a little water every day.
  
  
• Sow: June-August
  
  
• Flowering: May-August
  
  
• Approximate quantity: 20 seeds.
  • Eventual Height: 1m
  • Eventual Spread: 0.5m
  Salvia sclarea L. var. turkestanica - biennial clary Flowers over an extended period