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Salvia sclarea (Biennial clary)

Other names: Clary, Clear eye, Muscatel sage, Clear-eyes, Herb clary, See-bright

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Species
S. sclarea is an erect, branching, hairy perennial or biennial with ovate to oblong, toothed, wrinkled, mid-green leaves and, from spring into summer, terminal racemes of cream and lilac to pink or blue flowers with prominent lilac bracts.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1 m 0.3 m 2-5 years
3 ft 0 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in light, humus-rich, moderately fertile, free-draining soil in a sunny position, although light shade is tolerated. May become invasive.

Suggested uses

Coastal, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, City, Low Maintenance, Bees (attract & feed bees)

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Low
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Clump-forming

Native to

Europe, Western Asia, Central Asia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Foliage is aromatic

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Removing flower spikes as they fade will encourage further flowering. Alternatively, since the plant often dies after flowering. avoid deadheading to encourage self-seeding.

Propagation methods

Seed

Pests

Slugs

Snails

Leafhoppers

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Prevent self-seeding (optional)

Deadhead to encourage more flowers (optional)

Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Sow seed in situ

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (476)

Salvia

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Salvia rosmarinus (any variety)
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Salvia rosmarinus (any variety) Rosemary (any variety)
Salvia (any tender or borderline hardy perennial variety)
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Salvia (any tender or borderline hardy perennial variety) Sage (any tender or borderline hardy perennial variety)
Salvia (any tender or borderline hardy shrub variety)
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Salvia (any tender or borderline hardy shrub variety) Sage (any tender or borderline hardy shrub variety)
Salvia (any hardy perennial variety)
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Salvia (any hardy perennial variety) Sage (any hardy perennial variety)
Salvia lycioides
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Salvia lycioides Canyon sage
Salvia rosmarinus 'Roseus'
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Salvia rosmarinus 'Roseus' Rosemary 'Roseus'
Salvia greggii 'Icing Sugar'
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Salvia greggii 'Icing Sugar' Autumn sage 'Icing Sugar'
Salvia pratensis 'Rose Rhapsody' (Ballet Series)
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Salvia pratensis 'Rose Rhapsody' (Ballet Series) Clary 'Rose Rhapsody'
Salvia aurea
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Salvia aurea Golden sage
Salvia azurea var. grandiflora
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Salvia azurea var. grandiflora Pitcher sage
Salvia blepharophylla
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Salvia blepharophylla Eyelash sage
Salvia chamaedryoides
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Salvia chamaedryoides Germander sage
Salvia coccinea
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Salvia coccinea Scarlet sage
Salvia elegans
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Salvia elegans Pineapple sage
Salvia farinacea
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Salvia farinacea Mealy sage
Salvia greggii
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Salvia greggii Autumn sage
Salvia guaranitica
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Salvia guaranitica Anise-scented sage
Salvia involucrata
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Salvia involucrata Rosy-leaf sage
Salvia microphylla
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Salvia microphylla Baby sage
Salvia nemorosa
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Salvia nemorosa Balkan clary
Salvia splendens
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Salvia splendens Scarlet-flowered sage
Salvia x jamensis
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Salvia x jamensis Hybrid Mexican sage
Salvia x sylvestris
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Salvia x sylvestris Wood sage
Salvia 'Blaukonigin'
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Salvia 'Blaukonigin' Wood sage 'Blaukonigin'
Salvia pratensis
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Salvia pratensis Meadow clary
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Companion plants (1)

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Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'
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Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens' Purple sage
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Related content

Discuss Salvia sclarea with other Shoot members

Re: clary sage

Nicola
821 0
Hi Gina, this article might help you? How to water
Posted: Sunday 29th of May 2011 08:59 AM

clary sage

Shoot User
821 1
I have a young plant, it's growing in sun/part shade. I water it every four days or so, when the soil has dried out. It's leaves are turning brown, so I'm wondering what could be wrong?
Posted: Sunday 29th of May 2011 05:15 AM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 10:38 AM
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