Purple Winter Savory
Satureja montana
Purple Winter Savory (Satureja montana) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Aromatic culinary herb that doubles as a long-blooming xeric ornamental.
Plant Select®low water8–12 in tall and 12–18 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Satureja montana
- Type
- Perennial
- Mature size
- 8–12 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 in apart
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- purple
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Pollinator value
- high
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Purple Winter Savory good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Purple Winter Savory is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Purple Winter Savory get?
- It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Purple Winter Savory?
- Space Purple Winter Savory about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Purple Winter Savory hardy on the Front Range?
- Purple Winter Savory is hardy in USDA 5–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Purple Winter Savory need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Purple Winter Savory native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Purple Winter Savory deer-resistant?
- Purple Winter Savory is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Purple Winter Savory a good firewise plant near the house?
- Purple Winter Savory is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Purple Winter Savory bloom?
- Purple Winter Savory blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
