Jupiter's distaff

Jupiter's distaff: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Broad, loose, bushy clump 0.9 m tall and 0.6 m wide, with upright flower stems.

Foliage

Large, arrow- to heart-shaped, 10–20 cm long, softly hairy; it feels sticky because of glandular hairs.

Flower

Pale yellow lipped flowers with brown spots in the throat, in loose whorls on branched spikes, from July to September.

Stickiness

Glandular hairs on stems and leaves secrete a tacky liquid; if you touch the plant, your fingers get sticky.

Roots

Fibrous; it likes loose, humus-rich soil and the clump widens slowly.

Flowering: July–September · Plants: March–May and September–October · Pruning: March

Why grow it?

• One of the few sages for partial shade and shade: ideal for a woodland edge or a shady border.
• Flowers in pale yellow from July to September, when many shade plants have finished.
• Large, decorative foliage that stays attractive all summer.
• Bees and bumblebees visit the flowers.
• Hardy and easy: returns every year with little maintenance.
• Quickly fills a bare patch in shade.

Jupiter's distaff: where does it grow best?

• Partial shade to shade; in full sun it dries out and the foliage droops.
• Loose, humus-rich loam or clay, neutral to chalky.
• Normally moist; in shade it tolerates short dry spells, but not prolonged drought.
• A sheltered spot under trees or shrubs, or in a north-facing border.
• Allow 50–60 cm of space per plant.

Light

Partial shade and shade

Soil type

Loam or clay

Acidity

Neutral or chalky

Moisture

Normal

Size

0.9 m tall, 0.6 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -25 °C)

Goes well with

• Hosta: Large leaves at the base, in the same partial shade.
• Ferns: A fresh, green underplanting for a shady border.
• Cranesbill: Low foliage and flowers that cover the bare lower part of the stems.
• Japanese anemone: Flowers on in September–October, when the sage has finished.

Jupiter's distaff: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September–October.

1. Plant in March–May or in September–October, when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and mix in compost or leaf mould.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and firm the soil well.
4. Leave 50–60 cm between plants so the clump can develop.
5. Water in at once and spread a layer of leaf mould mulch around the base.

Care

Water

In the first year, water weekly in dry weather. Later, water generously in long dry spells, especially under trees.

Feeding

A spadeful of compost or leaf mould in spring. No more is needed.

Mulching

A layer of leaf mould in spring keeps the soil cool and moist.

Seedlings

It self-seeds in loose soil. Pull out surplus seedlings in spring or replant them.

Dividing

Every 3–4 years in spring, divide the clump if the centre becomes bare.

Tip: Use it where other sages refuse to grow: partial shade and humus-rich soil. Pull out seedlings in spring if you do not want it to self-seed.

Jupiter's distaff: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March.

When: In February–March, before the new shoots appear.

How:

• Cut last year’s dead stems and leaves down to just above the ground.
• If you do not want seedlings, cut off the faded flower stems in September.
• In summer, remove withered leaves at the base.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In March–April or in September–October, lift the clump and divide it with a spade into pieces with roots and shoots. Replant at once and water.

Seed

Sow in a tray in autumn or spring, or move seedlings that come up by themselves with a trowel. It self-seeds easily.

Jupiter's distaff: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −25 °C.

• Hardy down to about −25 °C: no protection is needed in Belgian winters.
• The foliage dies back in autumn; leave it in place or cut it off in late winter.
• Keep the soil around the clump moist but not waterlogged; long, wet winters can damage the roots.

Diseases and pests

• Powdery mildew: White powder on the leaves, especially in drought under trees. Water more, give space and air movement and cut off affected leaves.
• Slugs: Young shoots and leaves are nibbled. Pick slugs off in the evening or lay a barrier of coarse sand.
• Aphids: On young shoots and flower buds. Ladybirds often deal with them; otherwise rinse them off with water.
• Wilting from drought: The foliage droops in a spot that is too dry or sunny. Water and choose a shadier position.

Through the year

• February: Cut dead stems down to just above the ground.
• March: Plant or divide. Apply compost.
• April: Plant. Watch for slugs.
• May: Plant. Mulch.
• June: Water in dry weather.
• July: Flowering starts. Water in dry weather.
• August: Full flower. Water in dry weather.
• September: End of flowering. Cut faded stems if wished. Plant.
• October: Plant. Remove dead leaves.
• November: Rest. The foliage can stay in place.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• The species name glutinosa comes from the Latin glutinosus, ‘sticky’, after the glandular hairs on stems and leaves.
• The flowers work with a lever mechanism: a bumblebee entering the flower presses the pollen-laden stamens onto its back.
• This is one of the few Salvia species that like shade; most do best in full sun.