Salvia Sclarea – Clary Sage
A smelly Garden (or balcony) Resident
Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The German common name for salvia sclares is “Muskateller-Salbei”, meaning muscatel salvia. This already indicates on special feature of this plant, it has a very aromatic scent, or as som may say a smelly scent.
I always was under the impression to smell some maracuja scent, while my neighbour which whom I shared a balcony found the plant to be stinky. I never took her very serious, later I found out, that this salvia smells for some people like sweat. Now I feel sorry for my neighbour.
Apparently, the distilled essential oils were added to wines to give them the muscatel aroma. It is still used widely in perfumes and also in aromatherapy. Maybe even in some liqueurs.
It is possible to eat the flower and leaves, but I never tried this.
Clary sage is a biennial perennial. In the first year, it shows only bushy, big leaves but in the second year, they will grow a long flower stem from Juno to August, depending on your location. The colour pallet goes from white, over pale pink to pastel lilac. They are interestingly symmetrical and make me always feel like looking through a kaleidoscope.
Bees love them, even endangered species like the violet carpenter bee or other solitary bees.
Those impressive seedheads can be dried and look great in a flower bouquet, they will still have a strong aroma, so you have to be sure to like it.
The leaves are broad heart-shaped and fluffy.
Salvia sclarea comes back year after year if you let them seed out.
They like a sunny spot, though I also grew them in partly shaded, which made them only a bit smaller.
Little side fact: Nicholas Culpeper referred to clary sage as a medical plant in his “Comlpete Herbal” (1653), whereby he makes use of the seeds, leaves and the dried root.
“Government and virtues : It is under the dominion of the Moon. The seed put into the eyes clears them from motes, and such like things gotten within the lids to offend them, as also clears them from white and red spots on them. The mucilage of the seed made with water, and applied to tumours, or swellings, disperses and takes them away; as also draws forth splinters, thorns, or other things gotten into the flesh. The leaves used with vinegar, either by itself, or with a little honey, doth help boils, felons, and the hot inflammation that are gathered by their pains, if applied before it be grown too great. The powder of the dried root put into the nose, provokes sneezing, and thereby purges the head and brain of much rheum and corruption. The seed or leaves taken in wine, provokes to venery. It is of much use both for men and women that have weak backs, and helps to strengthen the reins: used either by itself, or with other herbs conducing to the same effect, and in tansies often. The fresh leaves dipped in a batter of flour, eggs, and a little milk, and fried in butter, and served to the table, is not unpleasant to any, but exceedingly profitable for those that are troubled with weak backs, and the effects thereof. The juice of the herb put into ale or beer, and drank, brings down women's courses, and expels the after-birth.”
Growing Region: zones 5
Height: 60—100 cm
Soil: suitable for light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay)
Salvia sclarea on Plants of the World Online (POWO) by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew