Practical
Plants

Salvia glutinosa

Jupiter's Distaff

a perennial member of the Salvia genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Salvia
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The aromatic leaves are used as a flavouring in country wines[1].

Product or use
Condiment

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An aromatic gum is obtained from the plant[6]. No details are given of an uses for this gum[K]. Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 75cm apart each way[4]. They are useful for colonizing large areas[4].

Product or use
Gum

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Europe to W. Asia.
Habitat
Scrub and moist places in deciduous forests[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse[3]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood succeed at almost any time in the growing season[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a very well-drained light sandy soil in a sunny position[3]. Succeeds in any good soil in full sun or partial shade[2]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[5]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[2]. During the summer the whole plant becomes covered in a tacky substance like a fragrant gum[7]. This species has a running root system and can spread freely[5]. Plants can be killed by excessive winter wet[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5].

References

  1. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  2. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

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