Salvia pratensis (meadow clary)

Japanese name: メドウセージ
Scientific name: Salvia pratensis

[Overview]
A perennial 1–1.5 m tall.
The stem is square in cross section and has glandular hairs and soft hairs.
The leaves are simple and opposite, ovate to oblong, 7.5–15 cm long, with serrated margins.
The leaves on the lower part of the stem have long leaf stalks.
The flowers grow 4–6 at a time in 5–10 tiers of whorled clusters, forming a flower spike about 30–45 cm long overall.
The corolla is a tubular, two-lipped shape up to 3 cm long, usually purple, but white and pink flower colors are also seen.
The upper lip arches in a crescent shape.
The fruit is a schizocarp.

[Uses]
The leaves and seeds are used medicinally.
It is also used to flavor beer and wine.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or cuttings.
It is cold-hardy, and even if the aboveground parts die back in winter, it will sprout again in spring as long as the roots do not freeze.
If freezing is a concern, protect plants in the ground from cold, for example by laying straw around the base.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, fertile place.
In poor light it may become leggy and weak, and flowering is also poor.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface has dried.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary if base fertilizer is applied.
It is hardy, but it dislikes high temperature and humidity in summer, and if the plant becomes stuffy the inner and lower leaves may wither, so thin out crowded branches to improve ventilation.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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