This culinary herb's strong, peppery flavour adds vibrancy and fragrance to your garden and your cooking. Hardy throughout most of the UK down to -15°C.
Winter Savoury has been used in both cooking and medicine throughout the years, and its peppery flavour will be a welcome addition to your culinary repertoire. Use it too add a spicy flavour to stuffings, pulses and herb mixes, both fresh and dried, and add in the satisfaction of having grown it yourself. A semi-shrub, you may expect growth up to 40cm, and in addition, tiny pink-purple flowers in summer. Suitable for growing in containers as well as in beds in your garden, this versatile shrub can be kept happy with some sun and well-draining soil.
Semi-evergreen perennial
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Bushy semi-shrub
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Foliage spring to autumn, flowers in summer
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Scientific Name
Satureja montana (mountain savoury)
Common Name
Winter Savory, Mountain Savory, Winter Savoury, Mountain Savoury
Origin
Native to Europe, found in Albania, Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Syria, Spain, Türkiye and the northwest Balkans.
Pruning Tips
Trim back after flowering to keep it compact; cut back old shoots in early spring.
Wildlife Value
Provides valuable nectar and pollen for honey bees, amongst other pollinators.
Positioning
Position in full sun; winter savoury will grow in positions both exposed to and sheltered from wind.
Water
Drought tolerant once established, you'll only need to water this plant in exceptionally dry weather
Soil
Use a well-draining soil; grows best in loamy soil, with a neutral to alkaline pH.
Food
Generally fine without extra feeding, but if you are harvesting frequently, an occasional feed will be helpful, especially growing in containers.
Pet-safe
Yes, this herb is non-toxic to pets, including dogs and cats.
Sprouts Top Tips
Keep this plant trimmed to encourage fresh growth and stop it getting leggy - perfect for frequent use in cooking.
Applying mulch around the base of your savoury will help deter weeds and stop it totally drying out in summer.
Did You Know?
Winter savoury has been known for its benefits too bees for millennia - it was recommended for growing around hives in Virgil's Georgics in the first century BC
