About
Satureja montana, winter savory, is a dwarf, sub-shrubby perennial to 40 cm with narrowly lance-shaped, dark-green or greyish-green leaves and dense spikes of small, whorled, purple flowers in summer. A popular culinary herb and ornamental subshrub for a sunny, very well-drained herb garden or rock garden.
About the genus
Satureja, the savories, are annuals, perennials and subshrubs with aromatic, linear to obovate leaves and spike-like clusters of tubular, two-lipped flowers in summer. Culinary herbs and ornamental plants for sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Herbs - Culinary
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen, Semi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toS Europe to Lebanon
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile well-drained, preferably alkaline soil, in full sun. See savory cultivation for more advice
PruningCut back old shoots in early spring
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free