Family:  Mint (Lamiaceae)

Hardy to Zones 3 to 9

(dan shen gansu) Herbaceous perennial to 2 feet, with loose upright racemes of conspicuously rotund bi-lipped blue-violet flowers appearing in early summer.  Native to China, most notably the province of Gansu.  Plant used as a substitute for Dan-shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), found in markets in Western Mainland China.  The plants are noted for their vigor and resistance to disease.  Roots of Dan-shen Gansu are red, as are the roots of Dan-shen.  Source of the lipophilic diterpene quinone known as tanshinone.  Traditional usage (TCM): prophylactic against stroke. This is a choice plant for Salvia officianados worldwide. Plant prefers part shade to sun and fast draining soils.  Use regular sage culture, seeding in greenhouse in early spring and working up the plants for setting out in the early summer.  Seeds are quite large for a sage.  Make sure to sow shallowly in fast-draining medium, tamp securely, and keep evenly moist and warm until germination.

20 seeds/pkt, Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s