Salvia nemorosa (woodland sage)

Japanese name: サルビア ネモロサ
Scientific name: Salvia nemorosa

[Overview]
A perennial 45–90 cm tall.
Leaves are simple and opposite, ovate to lanceolate, about 10 cm long, with wrinkled surfaces and toothed margins.
The leaves are fragrant when rubbed.
The flowers are borne in verticillasters; the corolla is two-lipped, about 1 cm long, usually purple, though white and pink flowers are also seen.
The upper lip forms an arch like a hood.
The base of the flower has bracts colored reddish purple.
The fruit is a schizocarp.

[Uses]
The leaves were used as a folk medicine for external application.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or cuttings.
It is cold-hardy.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, fertile place.
In poor sunlight it may become leggy and weak, and flowering is poor.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues and the soil dries out.
If base fertilizer is applied, no further fertilizing is particularly necessary, but for potted plants slow-release chemical fertilizer may be applied in spring or autumn as needed.
It is hardy, but dislikes summer heat and humidity, and if the plant becomes stuffy, the inner and lower leaves may wither, so thin out crowded branches to improve ventilation.
Cutting back after flowering allows you to enjoy a second flush of flowers.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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