Salvia viridis, commonly known as Annual Clary, is an annual herb native to a range of habitats including open fields, scrublands, and rocky hillsides in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the Balkans. It typically grows to 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) tall and 1 foot (0.30 m) wide. The plant is notable for its showy, colorful bracts that overshadow the small, two-lipped flowers, which are cream-colored with the upper lip tinged with purple or rose, reflecting the bract color. These bracts contribute to the plant’s ornamental value, particularly during its lengthy flowering period that extends over a month. Annual Clary is often used in borders, cottage gardens, and as a bedding plant due to its vibrant bracts and ease of growing from seed.

Annual Clary is valued for its long-lasting cut flowers and dried flower arrangements. It thrives in friable soil with good drainage and prefers moderate water, adapting well to various garden conditions. It can tolerate a range of sunlight from three-quarters of a day to full sun exposure. In regions like the UK, seeds can be sown in late March in a greenhouse or directly into the border after the last frost. While it is generally easy to maintain, it can be susceptible to common herbaceous plant diseases such as powdery mildew if not properly cared for.CC BY-SA 4.0