Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Salvia verticillata

Family: (Lamiaceae)

(P) to 2.5′.  An interesting plant whether in or out of flower.  Whorls of lavender-blue hooded flowers on long spikes adorn the textural pubescent foliage.  After flowering, the whorls of bracts keep the excitement going.  Also excellent for cutting and drying.  Self-sows when happy.  Full sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Sanguisorba obtusa 'Chatto'

Family: (Rosaceae)

(P) to 4′. Japanese Burnet. An elegant plant with striking, blue-grey, toothed, pinnate foliage which is sparsely topped with white bottle brush flowers. A reliable and beautiful performer that is admired more for the foliage than flower. Midsummer. Sun. 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Sanguisorba officinalis

Family: (Rosaceae)

(P) to 6′.  Great Burnet.  A tall, airy herb with a mass of ¾-inch maroon drumsticks.  Basal leaves have dark green, glossy leaflets.  Quite a sight growing through our purple fennel.  We love it in the herb garden and in the flower garden.  Easy to grow in moist, rich soil.  Blooms June to October.  Sun.  3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saponaria ocymoides

Family: Caryophyllaceae

(P) to 6”.  Rock Soapwort.  Native to Europe and SW Asia found in meadows and rocky areas.  A nice sprawling plant that forms an attractive carpet of semi-evergreen foliage.  Grows nicely over rock walls, in crevices, or between stepping stones.  Sprays of ½-inch, pink flowers appear in early summer.  Readily seeds and a vigorous grower.  Cut back after flowering to maintain compact form.  Prefers full sun to part shade.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saponaria officinalis 'Nana'

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(P) to 15″.  A darling, dwarf Soapwort or Bouncing Bet.  European native.  This stoutly branched perennial has pale green, ovate leaves with parallel veins.  The large, pink, five-petalled flowers in small terminal clusters appear in July and last until September.  The genus name is from the Latin saponis meaning ‘soap’ and aria, meaning ‘pertaining to’, together referring to the juice of the leaves and root that can make a soap. Why not try your hand at soap-making?  Sun.  4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saponaria pamphylica

Family: (Caryophyllaceae)

(P) to 12″. Turkey. Robust, blue-grey, glaucous foliage. Terminal clusters of very open, deep pink flowers with five, split-tipped petals. Long summer bloomer. Sun. 4 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saxifraga crustata var. vochinensis

Family: (Saxifragaceae)

(P) to 6″. East Alps, North and Central Balkans. Forms a tight bun of minute foliage encrusted with white lime deposits. Panicles of tiny, white flowers which occasionally have purple markings at their base, are held on four-inch stems. A “must” for the rock garden. Sun/partial shade. 5 & 7 for 4 weeks then T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saxifraga exarata subsp. moschata

Family: (Saxifragaceae)

(P) foliage to 6″, flowers to 12″. Mossy Saxifrage.  Mountains of Central and South Europe, Caucasus.  Undulating hummocks of mossy, dense, three-cleft leaves. Wiry stems with sprays of creamy white flowers.  An incredible sight on our Rock Ledge in May . Moist soil.  Sun.  5 & 7 for 4 weeks then T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saxifraga stolonifera

Family: Saxifragaceae

(TP) to 6″.  Strawberry Saxifrage.  This sweet Asian native has attractive white blossoms with distinctive pointed petals and bright yellow ovaries. The plant spreads via threadlike stolons, with plantlets taking root in the vicinity of the mother plant. When grown in a pot, the interesting grey-green, mottled foliage quickly crowds the surface and drapes beautifully down the sides.  Easy to grow in average light.  Allow the soil to dry between waterings.  3 & T2

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Saxifraga x apiculata

Family: (Saxifragaceae)

(P) to 4”.  The earliest plant to bloom outside at Stonecrop and a welcome sight it is, too.  Tight cushions of bright green, closely packed, narrow leaves are studded with an abundance of Primrose yellow flowers.  Sun.  4 & 7

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Scabiosa lucida

Family: (Caprifoliaceae)

(P) to 15″. A petite Pincushion Flower. Central Europe. In late spring, light blue, dense heads are surrounded by bristly, involucral bracts. Deep green, pinnatifid foliage forms a basal rosette. Perfect for the rock garden. Self-sows. Well-drained soil. Sun. 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Scabiosa ochroleuca

Family: (Caprifoliaceae)

(P) to 2′.  Cream Pincushion Flower.  Europe, West Asia.  Dainty, soft yellow, pincushion-like flowers.   A delightful plant whether grown alone or in the company of pastels.  Foliage is dissected and glaucous green.  Blooms from midsummer to frost.  A carefree plant preferring leaner soils and full sun. 3 & T2 & Δ

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Schivereckia doefleri (syn. Draba doerfleri)

Family: (Brassicaceae)

(P) to 6”.  Eastern Europe. A tough and attractive dwarf cushion with grey-green loose rosettes of oblanceolate, slightly toothed leaves. Four-petalled white flowers in terminal racemes of up to fifteen in late spring.  Long-lasting, buff-coloured seedheads follow.  Sun.  3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Scilla autumnalis (syn. Prospero autumnale)

Family: (Asparagaceae)

Hardy bulb to 8″. Autumn Squill. Europe. What a treat to have this pink Squill blooming in September. Open racemes display the bractless flowers. Not fussy about soil. Adorable. Sun/partial shade. 3 & T1

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Scrophularia nodosa

Family: (Scrophulariaceae)

(P) to 3′. Common Figwort. Europe. Dainty brown flowers are surrounded by green sepals on racemes in branched terminal clusters. Leaves are entire, ovate, and acute. A good plant for sun/partial shade. Self-sows. 3 & T1