Salvia Pratensis

Meadow clary is a hardy European perennial forming a basal rosette of wrinkled aromatic leaves and upright early-summer spikes of violet-blue, occasionally pink or white flowers. The large two-lipped blooms are operated by a lever mechanism that places pollen on visiting bees as they enter for nectar. Once a familiar sight in old grassland and sunny banks, Salvia pratensis is now valued in meadow and wildlife gardens for its strong colour and ecological interest. Cutting back faded stems often produces a second flush later in summer.