Satureja hortensis (Summer Savory)

Satureja hortensis (Summer Savory) is a bushy annual prized for its stiff, narrowly lance-shaped, aromatic, dark green leaves, which can be used fresh or dried to flavor food. Preferred by cooks, their aroma is slightly peppery with a hint of marjoram, thyme, and mint. It is more delicate in flavor than Winter Savory, but as an annual, Summer Savory is only available in summer, while Winter Savory is a semi-evergreen perennial. Summer Savory blooms profusely in summer, boasting whorls of small white flowers attractive to bees. The flavor is better before the plant flowers. For thousands of years, people have used savory as a culinary herb to flavor beans, season meat, and add a thyme-like taste to their meals. Savory is a key herb in Herbes de Provence, a famous French blend of dried herbs native to Provence, alongside marjoram, rosemary, thyme, and oregano.

• Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm).
• Thrives in full sun in moderately fertile, preferably alkaline, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established. In cold areas, give plants winter protection.
• Great for beds and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, or Mediterranean gardens or containers. Use in rock gardens, as a dwarf-clipped hedge in the herb garden.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Savory repels cabbage moths, Mexican bean beetles, and black aphids. It also attracts honey bees.
• Good companion plants include beans, onions, parsley, rosemary, sage, and tarragon.
• Cut down the whole plant before flowering and dry the leaves.
• Propagate by seed in spring.
• Native to Southern Europe.