Salvia sclarea Vatican White

Salvia sclarea 'Vatican White' is a beautiful white-flowered form of clary sage, a medicinal plant. It is an imposing biennial sage, sometimes cultivated as a perennial. In spring, it displays giant panicles of small white flowers highlighted by large white and green pearly bracts that play with the light. All parts of the inflorescence are glandular and aromatic, richly endowed with a fragrant essential oil. Easy to grow in sunny and well-drained soil, clary sage can self-seed abundantly in the garden.

Clary sage is a plant of the Lamiaceae family, native to southern Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia. 'Vatican White' is a white-flowered selection introduced in 2002. It is theoretically a perennial plant, but it often behaves as a biennial, dying after producing too many seeds in its second year of existence. It first develops a large rosette measuring 60 to 80cm (24 to 32in) in diameter, which is evergreen in winter. It is composed of thick, entire, dark green and pubescent leaves, 15 to 25cm (6 to 10in) long. They release a penetrating fragrance reminiscent of musk and grapefruit when touched. In June-July, or even earlier depending on the climate, strong ramified inflorescences emerge from the rosette, rising up to 1m (3ft) from the ground, slowly unfurling their quadrangular stems loaded with a profusion of flowers. The small flowers, 2 to 3cm (1in) long, are creamy-white, enhanced by highly decorative pearly white bracts with green tints. The flowering is followed by the formation of small, fine, dark-coloured seeds. If allowed to go to seed, the plant may die. Simply remove the faded inflorescences to prolong its life and prevent it from self-seeding everywhere.

In Haute Provence, clary cage is planted among lavender plants, creating a bright and fragrant scene under the scorching June sun. One can take inspiration from this in the garden, planting it with thyme, common sage, grey artemisias, and the vibrant blooms of shrubby salvias. This spectacular plant will illuminate a whole bed of perennials and complements the flowering of old roses. If allowed to self-seed, it will fill all the empty spaces in the flower beds. It is a magnificent plant when isolated. It also suits white flower beds. The leaves can be safely used to flavour soups, meats, and game.

Long renowned for its medicinal properties, clary sage is grown for its essential oil which is use in phytotherapy and perfumery.