Satureja coerulea

RHS Plant Profile

blue savory

Synonyms

Satureja montana 'Coerulea'

Herbaceous Perennial

A bushy, aromatic, woody-based perennial with upright stems of pointed, linear green leaves with hairy edges. Produces spikes of pale violet blue flowers in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Neutral or Alkaline

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Satureja can be annuals, perennials or subshrubs with aromatic, linear to obovate leaves and spike-like clusters of tubular 2-lipped flowers in summer
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile well-drained, preferably alkaline soil, in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Rock garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back old shoots in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free