Hardy woody perennial

Culinary, Ornamental

4 to 16 inches high, 3 to 8 inches wide

Full sun

Rich, moist, well-drained soil

Winter Savory, Satureja Montana

Winter savory grows slowly, reaching no more than 12 inches high. Mature, glossy, deep green leaves are pointed and narrow, developing from short woody stems.

This is an especially decorative, low-growing and densely spreading shrub. White or lavender-blue flowers bloom on short spikes in late summer. A good border plant for an herb or a vegetable garden. Winter savory also excels in a rock garden, where its evergreen branches can trail gracefully over the edges of stones.

Savory was well-known to the classical Greeks and Romans. Its genus name Satureja may derive from satyrus, or satyr, referring to its aphrodisiac effects. Hippocrates ascribed medicinal properties to it.

Winter savory was well known in early England, as well. Culpeper recommended it for ringing ears and in poultices for easing the pain from bee and wasp stings. This last remedy of rubbing a bruised sprig on a bee sting remains valid today. Early American settlers treated colds and fevers with savory tea.

Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum
Coriander, Cilantro was our herb of the month in September 2007. CLICK HERE

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Lemon Balm was our herb of the month in August 2007. CLICK HERE

Basil, Ocimum basilicum
Basil was our herb of the month in July 2007. CLICK HERE

Epazote, (Chenopodium amborsiodes)
Epazote was our herb of the month in June 2007. CLICK HERE

Sage, (Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in May 2007. CLICK HERE

Lavender
Lavender was our herb of the month in April 2007. CLICK HERE

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
Our herb of the month in March 2007. CLICK HERE

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Our herb of the month in February 2007. CLICK HERE

Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa
Our herb of the month in January 2007. CLICK HERE

Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Our herb of the month in November 2006. CLICK HERE

Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita
Our herb of the month in October 2006. CLICK HERE

Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
Our herb of the month in September 2006. CLICK HERE

Horsetail, Equisetum arvense
Our herb of the month in August 2006. CLICK HERE

Cayenne, Capsicum frutescens
Our herb of the month in June 2006. CLICK HERE

Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriodoro
Our herb of the month in May 2006 . CLICK HERE

Scented Geranium, (Pelargonium species)
Our herb of the month in April 2006 and Herb of the Year 2006 . CLICK HERE

Mexican Mint Marigold, (Tagetes Lucida)
Our herb of the month in March 2006. CLICK HERE

Rose, Rosa Species
Revisit Rose, our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE

Sweet Bay, (Grecian Laurel)
Laurus nobilis
Our herb of the month in January 2006. CLICK HERE

Herbs of the Bible
Our herb of the month in Decembers 2005. CLICK HERE

Sage, (Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in November 2005. CLICK HERE

Lemongrass, (Cymbopogon citratus) Tender perennial
Lemongrass was our herb of the month in October 2005. CLICK HERE

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale
Dandelion was our herb of the month in September 2005. CLICK HERE

Borage, Borago officinalis
Borage was our herb of the month in August 2005. CLICK HERE

Basil, Ocimum basilicum
Basil was our herb of the month in July 2005. CLICK HERE

Scented Geranium, Pelargonium species
Parsley was our herb of the month in May/June 2005. CLICK HERE

Parsley, Petroselinum sativum
Parsley was our herb of the month in March/April 2005. CLICK HERE

Rose, Rosa Species
Rose was our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE

Arugula, Roquette, Eruca vesiceria sub, sativa
Arugula was our herb of the month in January 2005. CLICK HERE

Calendula, Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis
Calendula was our herb of the month in December 2004. CLICK HERE

Winter Savory, Satureja Montana
Winter Savory was our herb of the month in November 2004. CLICK HERE

Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum
Echinacea was our herb of the month in October 2004. CLICK HERE

Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)
Echinacea was our herb of the month in September 2004. CLICK HERE

Lemon Verbena
Mint was our herb of the month in August 2004. CLICK HERE

Mint
Mint was our herb of the month in July 2004. CLICK HERE

Hoja Santum
Hoja Santum was our herb of the month in June 2004. CLICK HERE

Lavender
Lavender was our herb of the month in May 2004. CLICK HERE

Thyme
Thyme was our herb of the month in April 2004. CLICK HERE

Oregano
Oregano was our herb of the month in October 2003. CLICK HERE

Peppermint Ideas
Peppermint was our herb of the month in August 2003. Our readers sent in these ideas on how they use peppermint. CLICK HERE

Fall Herb Gardening
CLICK HERE