Content
Whorled sage (Salvia verticillata) is an ornamental species of a wide group of annual and perennial plants. Bright salvia flowers decorate flower beds and lawns in gardens, courtyards, parks and summer cottages in summer. Not a single flower garden can do without this beautiful and lush shrub. It remains in the decorative period for a long time and is completely unpretentious in care.
Description of whorled sage with photo
The whorled species belongs to the Lamiaceae family. An erect perennial plant with a height of 30 to 80 cm. The shrub forms many branched stems, which are covered with hairs. Inflorescences are collected in racemes and can be simple or branched.
With strong nectar secretion, the tubes of the sage corolla are filled by a third, which increases the yield to 300 kg per 1 ha
The plant is popular because it blooms throughout the summer. Sage buds are rich in nectar. Sage whorled is a honey plant that attracts many pollinators. The seeds ripen by autumn, the leaves are large in size, and the shape is ovate-triangular.
Where does it grow
Under natural conditions, whorled sage is found in Northern, Eastern and Southern Europe.Grows in Iran, Iraq and Turkey. The plant loves dry, calcareous, loose and sandy loam soils. Inhabits forest edges, embankments, dry meadows. It does not like high humidity, so it is less common in lowlands.
On the territory of Russia, whorled sage grows both in the European part and in the Caucasus, on the western border of Siberia.
The sage bush loves black soil stripes
Medicinal properties
Salvia officinalis is more often used as a medicinal plant, but whorled sage also has a strong antioxidant effect. Its components prevent the development of many diseases and slow down the aging process of the body.
Products made with the addition of a whorled plant are taken for:
- respiratory diseases (make decoctions or tinctures);
- gastrointestinal infection;
- skin diseases, stomatitis.
For many years, Western companies have conducted research, the results of which indicate the possibility of using this type of sage to regulate blood sugar levels in diabetes. It is added to some medications to increase their effectiveness.
The use of whorled sage
In the Caucasus and Central Asia, whorled sage is used as a spice for cheese, salad, and meat dishes. It is crushed and added to a dish to give it an unusual aroma.
The leaves of the plant are suitable as a seasoning because of their cooling taste. In some regions they are used to produce an essential oil with a pungent odor.
The ancient Egyptians were convinced that the plant prolongs life
Whorled sage is used in cosmetology in the treatment of problem skin.
Sage, like many other plants, has its own contraindications for use. The prepared material or the products in which it is included cannot be used if you are hypersensitive to the components. Experts also recommend avoiding the addition of verticillate sage in case of hypotension, kidney disease and breastfeeding.
Advantages and disadvantages
Whorled sage has properties that are inherent in all herbs. At the same time, the bush looks very attractive.
Sage goes well with roses, yarrow, catnip, and can be planted in rose gardens
Pros:
- frost resistance - only in harsh climates is the ground around the plant covered with leaves;
- flowers are fragrant, very bright;
- bright decorative properties;
- unpretentious in care, requires only pruning in the spring and removal of dried inflorescences;
- blooms throughout the summer;
- resistance to various diseases;
- resists various insect parasites.
Minuses:
- for lush flowering, exposure to sunlight for six hours a day is required;
- does not like high humidity, the plant may disappear due to the accumulation of melt water with the onset of a thaw;
- If the heat is too strong, the leaves will burn.
Planting whorled sage
The plant can be sown from February to June. The optimal time for sowing seedlings indoors is 8-10 weeks before the last frost.
Peculiarities:
- Seed germination is slow if the room temperature is not high enough. The ideal value is 18-24 °C.
- Purchased or prepared planting material is buried in the substrate, but not sprinkled with soil.Seeds require direct sunlight.
- As the seeds grow, they need to be planted in separate containers. This will promote rapid development.
- Young plants are planted in a permanent place at the end of May. A time is selected when the likelihood of return frosts is minimal.
- Before planting in the ground, seedlings need to be acclimatized. This will increase the likelihood of adaptation. They are periodically taken out into the open air for ten days.
- There should be a distance of 20 centimeters between individual plants in a flower garden. When the bushes reach a height of 15 cm, the top is plucked off. This will lead to increased growth of side shoots.
Under favorable conditions, flowering is observed already in the first year.
A young plant needs to be watered and fertilized periodically
Caring for whorled sage
The plant in question tolerates various soil conditions well. Whorled sage can withstand drought, but wet and poorly drained soils can cause death. A common problem is flooding of the root system during the spring thaw.
The shrub performs well in poor and moderately fertile soils. Too much fertilizer can cause sage stems to become lodging.
Abundant flowering is observed only with good lighting of the planting site. Sage shrubs grow more “leggy” when grown in partial shade.
To increase the flowering period, faded flowers are promptly removed. After the first wave is completed, the root foliage is removed. Carrying out such work stimulates the reappearance of flowers in the warm autumn.
With the onset of the first warmth, mulch is distributed around the bush in a layer of 5-7 centimeters.Well-mixed garden compost or manure is suitable for this. Whorled sage does not require special care. But in the spring you need to cut off all damaged stems from last year, as they can slow down growth.
To maintain flowering activity, you can feed the plant with complex fertilizers. If you choose the right landing site, this is not necessary.
The whorled sage shrub develops well on its own with sufficient light
The herbaceous plant does not experience problems associated with insect attacks or diseases. An exception is that unfavorable conditions with high humidity lead to spotting and rust. Occasionally, sage is attacked by aphids or whiteflies. Pest and disease control involves treatment with appropriate means.
Collection and storage
The collection is carried out in summer and autumn. In June, sage of this species is most saturated with essential oils. Therefore, leaves and flowers harvested during this period are more valuable. It is recommended to start collecting after the first bloom of inflorescences. Preferably, dark green leaves are picked along with cuttings. The flowers are removed so that only the lower inflorescences bloom on the cut branches.
Re-collection is possible at the end of September. After the end of the summer heat, sage regains its strength, so cutting off the inflorescences and leaves will not harm it.
Store the collected material dry. To do this, it is laid out under a canopy in the open air. After the moisture has evaporated, the leaves and flowers can be used as a seasoning or additive for traditional medicines.
Conclusion
Whorled sage is a perennial herbaceous crop that is characterized by unpretentiousness, resistance to diseases and pests, but does not tolerate high humidity. It is often planted to decorate an area or attract pollinators. The picked leaves and flowers can be dried and used as a spice for meat. Caring for the crop involves removing dried flowers and leaves.
