Clary Sage 'Monarch Mixed' Seeds
If you want a plant that provides colour from June to October without fading or flopping, 'Monarch Mixed' is the answer. This hardy annual produces upright spikes decorated with oversized, vein-detailed bracts in a beautiful pastel blend of candy pink, crisp white, and deep indigo-blue.
Because the colourful parts are actually leaves (bracts) rather than delicate petals, they are incredibly tough. They withstand wind and rain that would ruin other flowers, and they last for up to two weeks in a fresh vase. Best of all, they dry perfectly, keeping their colour all winter long.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Salvia viridis (often sold as Salvia horminum) is a Hardy Annual.
It is distinct from the biennial Herb Clary (*Salvia sclarea*). This annual version flowers in its first year and stays compact (60cm).
The "Leaf" Flower: The true flowers are tiny, inconspicuous blooms hidden inside the colourful bracts. While bees love hunting for the nectar, for us gardeners, the show is all about those colourful leafy tops.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
This is a fantastic seed for beginners as it germinates easily.
Germination:
Sow directly outdoors in Autumn (Sept) for larger plants next year, or Spring (March-May). Scatter seeds onto raked soil and cover lightly. Germination takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
It needs full sun and well-drained soil. It originates from the Mediterranean, so it hates sitting in wet, heavy clay. If your soil is heavy, add grit.
Care While Growing:
Pinch: When seedlings are 10-15cm tall, pinch out the top growing tip. This stops it growing one single stem and encourages it to branch out, giving you three times as many flower spikes.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Salvia viridis |
| Common Name | Annual Clary Sage 'Monarch Mixed' |
| Hardiness | H3/H4 (Hardy Annual) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 50cm - 60cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 25cm apart |
| Great for | 🍂 Dried Flowers ✂️ Cut Flowers 🐝 Bees 🏺 Containers |
| Seed Count | Approx. 300 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The spiky shape of Salvia looks best next to soft, round flowers or airy fillers:
- ☁️ Ammi Majus (Queen Anne's Lace): The Meadow Look. The white, lacy umbrellas of Ammi soften the upright spikes of the Salvia. Together they look like a hand-picked meadow bouquet.
- 🌼 Cosmos 'Purity': The Cottage Classic. The large white saucers of Cosmos contrast perfectly with the vertical habits of the Salvia. The pinks in the 'Monarch Mix' look particularly good with white Cosmos.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow outdoors in autumn or spring. Flowers June to October.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Outdoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Drying Tip
Cut the stems when the bracts are fully coloured but before they start to turn brown at the edges. Hang them upside down in bunches in a cool, dark, airy place. They will dry in about 2 weeks.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This species is highly valued for its nectar. Salvia viridis is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, attracting bees to the small hidden flowers.
- Regular price
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£2.20 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.20
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