Winter Savory - Satureja montana
400 Seeds
Sow April - May
Hardy perinnial.
Height 30cm (12in), spread 15-20cm (6-8in).
Prefers a poor, well-drained soil in a sunny position.
The site needs to have sandy soil and get plenty of sunlight. Press the seed into the soil and keep watered. It germiantes better without a covering of soil. Transplant when large enough. Germination is rather erratic.
Keep dead wood trimmed out. Cuttings can be taken later on to raise more plants for the following year.
The branching roots produce a bushy, fine-haired, square stem, which often has a purple tint. The small, narrow, pointed, dark green leaves are very aromatic. Small white/pink flowers appear in summer. Attractive to bees.
Savory - Winter
Also known as Mountain Herb.
From the family Lamiaceae.
Savory is a native of Southern Europe and North Africa. The genus Satureja was named by the Roman scholar Pliny and is derived from the word satyr, the half-man, half-goat creature in mythology who owned the savouries. The Romans added it to sauces and to vinegars, which they used liberally as flavouring. They also introduced it to Northern Europe, where it became a valued disinfectant and strewing herb. The Ancient Egyptians used it in love potions. It was also used to relieve tired eyes, for ringing in the ears, indigestion, wasp and bee stings and for other shocks to the system.