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Clary Sage
Salvia sclarea
Biennial medicinal herb, with large fuzzy gray-green leaves and bluish purplish flowers late spring through mid-summer. The essential oil of the plant has a strong fragrance said to have a soothing quality.
Days to maturity: biennial, flowers in second year
Seeds per pack: 40
Germination rate: 84% on 08/11/2025
Planting / harvesting notes
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or sow near the soil surface and tamp down lightly.
Seed keeping notes
Allow seedheads to dry on the plant. Cut the stalks below the lowest seed clusters. If necessary, dry the seedheads further in the sun on a sheet or table away from moisture and precipitation. When fully dry, whack the seedheads in a bucket, allowing the ripest seed to fall. Sift through strainers to remove the largest chaff, and then winnow off the lighter chaff with your breath, a fan, or the wind.
