Guess what plant this is!

[angieh]

Just for fun ...

It is probably around 5 ft tall and is a herb. The flowers and leaves are used for various complaints and it has a slight citrus perfume. It is also used as a flavouring in Marsala wine and Italian Vermouth.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc44/angieh_bucket/Flowers%20and%20plants/P1040753.jpg
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc44/angieh_bucket/Flowers%20and%20plants/P1040752.jpg

My friend guessed the name of this plant on Wednesday by its perfume alone. She has never seen the plant growing before but she is an aromatherapist! Can you guess what it is?

[Velvet]

Dont know but its gorgeous - is it hardy ? By that could it grow in a garden by the sea?

[angieh]

It is a biannual - I planted it last year, so it survived the extremely cold winter we had last year. We are not very far from the sea, but not as near as you are!

[dandysmom]

I'm stumped; was thinking lemon balm. but that's an annual.......

[MrsH]

Mmmm, I thought the close up looked a bit like acanthus but there aren't any spikes and in any case that's a perennial I think.

Then I thought the leaves looked a bit like mullein, that's biennial I think but it has yellow flowers doesn't it?

I'm stumped! Go on Angie, tell us!

[angieh]

It's Clary Sage.

[Velvet]

It's Clary Sage.

A 5 ft sage plant - wow & double wow!!!

Do you use any of it when cooking?

[angieh]

I haven't yet Velvet - trying to pluck up the courage! It does have a wide range of uses:-

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_ClarySage.htm

[dandysmom]

Never would have guesses! Actually, I knew of regular sage, of course, but not clary sage. Interesting link, Ange, thanks!