Salvia multicaulis aka Kurdish Basil

Salvia multicaulis, or many-stemmed sage, belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its native range runs from western Asia to Sinai. Records include Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. It grows in dry scrub, steppe and on rocky limestone slopes. These wild sites reach about 8,530 feet [2,600 metres] above sea level. Kew classes it as a subshrub from a subtropical climate.

In gardens, it forms a low, bushy mat. The RHS gives both height and spread as 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Plants reach their full size in two to five years. The oval leaves have a grey-green tone and a strong scent. The foliage may stay evergreen or partly evergreen. Small violet flowers rise in short spikes during summer. Maroon bracts add another shade around the blooms. The low form suits the front of beds and borders.

Choose a sunny site for the best match to RHS guidance. This sage also accepts some shade. Give it soil of moderate fertility that drains well. Chalk, loam and sand all suit it. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline soils. Moist soil suits growth, but water must drain away. Established plants need less watering than new plants. The RHS rates it H3 for mild and coastal UK areas. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10. These ratings come from different sources and use different systems.

The RHS suggests it for courtyard, cottage and wildlife gardens. It also lists pots, patios and Mediterranean-style planting. Its compact shape fits small beds as well as containers. Cut back spent flower spikes to extend the flowering season. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer to raise more plants. Pests seldom cause trouble, according to the RHS. Possible diseases include powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, and foot and root rots. Honey fungus can occur, though the RHS calls it rare.

Plants For A Future records the leaves as a cooking herb. They can replace common sage in food. The plant also flavours tea or makes an infusion in boiling water. That source gives it a low edible-use score. It reports no known hazards, but this does not establish safety for pets. It lists no known medicinal uses or other uses. The same source does not flag the plant as weedy.