Satureja thymbra – Savory –

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. thymbra – This mound forming, shrub from the Balkans grows 16″ tall and 12″ wide. From recurved, softly hairy stems and linear to spoon shaped, mid green leaves, to ½” long. In spring, bears lax, dense, whorl like spikes of many mauve to purple flowers, to 1/4″ long. Zones 6-9