Summer Savory is a delicious and useful annual herb, related to rosemary and thyme. It grows between 12 and 18 inches tall, and can spread about 10 14 inches wide. It is not only useful as a culinary herb, but it makes an attractive bushy plant as well. The slender leaves grow out from the stem, and are about half an inch to an inch long. It sprouts vibrant light purple flowers out from the stem in late summer.
Growing
Summer savory is a little more work to grow than the related winter savory, but its wonderful flavor makes it well worth the extra care. It does very well as a container plant. If you are into companion planting, it is a helpful co-grower to beans, tomatoes and onions, as it deters bean beetles.
After you have established plants, summer savory self-seeds. You can also gather and save the seeds between years, but only for one year; after that, it is unlikely to grow well.
In addition to being delicious and having traditional medicinal uses, summer savory is a very beautiful plant and is often grown just for its loveliness and aroma.
Uses
Summer savory is delicious to use when cooking, and goes well with almost any dish. It goes well with meats, fish, chicken, and mushrooms. It is tasty as a dip or accompaniment for artisanal bread. Added to a quiche, it delicately enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. In medieval times, it was added to pastries and cakes for some spiciness. It has a reputation for going particularly well with beans. It makes a great seasoning for cheeses and sauces, and is even used in some blends of teas. It is an essential part of the well-known blend, Herbs de Provence.
It has been used medicinally through the years for ailments such as sore throats, congestion, intestinal difficulties, and insect stings. Ancient Egyptians would mix it into love potions.
Honey bees are attracted to the lilac flowers that bloom in late summer. Several types of butterfly caterpillars eat the leaves. It is more likely to deter pests than attract them.
Once it blossoms, the leaves start to curl and go brown. If you want to store some for winter use, you can gather and dry the leaves and seeds at this point, or you can freeze the leaves. Both ways, keep your harvest sealed up in a cool, dark place for use throughout the winter.
SOWING THE SEED
Summer Savory can be sown either indoors or outdoors. If started indoors, sow in peat pots, scattering a pinch of seed to the surface of the soil. Allow direct light to reach the seeds, as this is crucial to successful germination. Direct sow or transplant outdoors when the danger of frost has passed.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Summer Savory will enjoy an area of full sunlight for the majority of the day, with temperatures of at least 60F to 70F or more. It enjoys dry to neutral soils that are well drained. To improve drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to any areas that consist of hard, compact soil. Water the seeds daily with a mist setting or other light water setting to avoid overwatering and/or disturbing the seeds.
GERMINATION & GROWTH
Your Summer Savory will begin to show life within as little as 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants will grow to a mature height of about 12 to 18 inches tall and can take up a fair amount of space. Space each plant roughly 6 to 12 inches apart from one another. Summer Savory is best harvested in the early morning before the heat of day sets in.
Front Side
Seed packets by Seed Needs are beautifully illustrated and provide a colorful depiction of the variety inside. We provide the common name, as well as the scientific name, seed quantity and a few specs about the variety to be grown.
Back Side
Each packet contains full growing instructions on the reverse side. Specifications on sowing the seed, growing conditions such as sunlight and moisture preferences and germination and growth information can be found as well. We also provide a QR to scan for easy reordering.
- Always Non-GMO / Untreated.
- Stored in a temperature controlled facility that's free of moisture.
- Always packaged for the current and the following growing seasons.
- True to the varieties advertised.
- 99% pure seed with no added fillers.
- Always Non-GMO / Untreated.
- Stored in a temperature controlled facility that's free of moisture.
- Always packaged for the current and the following growing seasons.
- True to the varieties advertised.
- 99% pure seed with no added fillers.
Always fresh and intended for the current and following growing seasons. Seeds are packaged in water resistant / tear resistant packaging.
Heirlooms are varieties that have been purposely bred, selected and passed down from generation to generation. They are wholesome picks that will breed true to the parent seed every time.
Seed Needs never knowingly purchases treated seeds products. We also do not treat any of our seed products with substances such as neonicotinoid or thyram.
Seed Needs promises to never knowingly purchase or supply genetically modified seed products. We take the Safe Seed Pledge!
A SEED COMPANY ON A MISSION FOR CHANGE
Seed Needs has been providing gardeners with quality seed products since 2010 and has shipped millions of packets to happy customers all over the US. We offer flowers, herbs, vegetables, vines, wildflower blends, seed packet collections and seed packet favors.
With the success of our brand, we have kept our promise to continually donate to different organizations and personally sponsor children all over the globe each and every month. We grew our sponsorships from just 1 child to over 100 children worldwide in only a few years. We would like to sincerely thank all who support us because it wouldn't be possible without you!
Check out our charitable contributions!
A SEED COMPANY ON A
MISSION FOR CHANGE
Seed Needs has been providing gardeners with quality seed products since 2010 and has shipped millions of packets to happy customers all over the US. We offer flowers, herbs, vegetables, vines, wildflower blends, seed packet collections and seed packet favors.
With the success of our brand, we have kept our promise to continually donate to different organizations and personally sponsor children all over the globe each and every month. We grew our sponsorships from just 1 child to over 100 children worldwide in only a few years. We would like to sincerely thank all who support us because it wouldn't be possible without you!
Check out our charitable contributions!