Organic Perennial Savory

Lemon Savory (Satureja montana citriodora) is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in). This herb is cultivated for its lemon-flavoured foliage, which adds aroma to many dishes, especially fish, grilled meats, and sauces. It can also be used for infusions. Plant in spring or autumn, harvest from June to October.

Mountain Savory is a very hardy perennial herbaceous plant (up to -15°C (5°F)), belonging to the Lamiaceae family. It is a typical aromatic plant of Mediterranean cuisine, naturally growing in scrubland, fallow fields, and sunny slopes. Savory forms a beautiful cushion of small shiny green leaves that release a strong scent similar to Thyme when crushed. This honey-bearing plant produces pretty white flowers with a slight pink hue from July to September.

In cooking, this lemon-flavored and spicy herb is used as a condiment to flavour vegetables, including legumes, meats, fish, and sauces. Consumed as an infusion, it aids digestion and relieves bloating. Its leaves can also be used fresh as poultices to soothe skin irritations such as insect bites.

It is an undemanding plant that grows in the sun, in dry and well-drained soil. At the end of winter, trim it into a compact ball shape with shears to maintain a compact habit.

Harvest: the leaves are harvested from June to October by simply cutting the branches, ideally in the morning. It is preferable to do this before flowering to preserve the fullness of its fragrance.

Storage: the leaves of Savory are best consumed fresh to fully enjoy their fragrance. However, for longer storage, you can dry the leaves in the shade and store them in airtight jars.

The gardener's tip: in the garden, don't hesitate to mix different types of plants by placing some aromatic ones like Savory in the middle of your perennial flower beds or in sunny rockeries. They will integrate perfectly and the sometimes strong fragrances of aromatic plants often have the ability to repel insects that may attack more delicate plants such as certain roses.