Satureja hortensis, commonly known as Summer Savory, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb native to open, rocky habitats and scrublands in Central Asia, the Western Himalayas, and Southeastern Europe. It typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet and a width of 0.5-1 feet. Summer Savory has slender, bronze-green leaves and bears lilac tubular flowers that bloom from July to September in the northern hemisphere, attracting pollinators. The flowers are modest in size but can add a delicate touch to herb gardens. The plant is known for its aromatic leaves, which are harvested for culinary use, imparting a peppery flavor to dishes.

Summer Savory is valued for its culinary uses, as it is a popular seasoning for beans, meats, and a variety of dishes. It is less bitter than its relative, winter savory, making it more favored in cooking. In the garden, it can be used as a border plant or in herb gardens. Summer Savory thrives in full sun and requires low to medium amounts of water, preferring well-drained soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It can be grown from seed, which germinates slowly, and seedlings can be topped in early spring for fresh use. When in flower, the plants can be harvested and dried for winter use. While generally easy to maintain, it can suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0