Phlomis fruticosa (Jerusalem Sage)

Scientific Name

Phlomis fruticosa L.

Common Name(s)

Jerusalem Sage

Synonym(s)

Beloakon luteum, Phlomis angustifolia, Phlomis latifolia, Phlomis pichleri, Phlomis portae, Phlomis salviifolia, Phlomis scariosa

Scientific Classification

Family: Lamiaceae
Subfamily: Lamioideae
Genus: Phlomis

Flower

Color: Pink or white
Bloom Time: Summer

Description

Phlomis fruticosa is a large multi-stemmed evergreen shrub that grows up to 3 feet (1 m) tall and up to 5 feet (1.5 m) wide. The aromatic sage-like leaves are soft, woolly, grey-green with white undersides and up to 4 inches (10 cm) long. Flowers are light yellow, tubular, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long, and grow in whorls of 20 on erect stems from spring through summer.

How to Grow and Care

If you wish to plant Phlomis in a container, use a large one filled with compost with a soil foundation. Try not to be too generous in feeding and watering your plant, as it actually grows well in drought. Once your Phlomis begins to form flowers, you may need to do some trimming as it tends to grow uncontrollably. Trimming it back will put a limit on this. When winter comes, keep the plant protected in a cool area. Always remember that you should water it as minimally as possible.

For propagating purposes, select seeds of medium size, preferably during autumn. Make use of a plug or seed trays, covering them with a thin coating of compost. Place them in a cool area. The germination process can be quite swift. As soon as your seedlings are big enough, you may begin to transplant them into an area of your garden that is safe from frost. See more at How to Grow and Care for Phlomis.

Origin

This species is native to Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and the regions of the former Yugoslavia.

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