Phlomis fruticosa – Jerusalem Sage –

Description

Phlomis – There are about 100 species of low growing, sage like herbaceous perennials and evergreen shrubs or sub shrubs in the Lamiaceae family, in this genus. They occur in rocky sites in Europe, Northern Africa, Mediterranean and Asia. It produces opposite, smooth edged, lance shaped to ovate, light to gray green, often with stairs shaped hairs. They are grown for their foliage and showy, tubular, deadnettle like, often hooded, 4 stamen, white, yellow, or lilac flowers, held in dense, axillary whorls of 2 to 40 blooms on tall, erect stems, they are effective massed in a border. Where marginally hardy, grow against a wall. P. lanata is suitable for a rock garden. In winter, seed heads of herbaceous species may be left for their ornamental effect. Grow in any fertile, well drained soil in full sun. They are drought tolerant and best in an open position where foliage can dry out after rain. Divide perennials in spring. Prone to leafhoppers. P. fruticosa – Jerusalem Sage – This mound forming, evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean grow 3′ feet tall and 5′ feet wide. From upright shoots it carries sage like, oval shaped, wrinkled, gray green leaves, to 4″ long, woolly beneath. In early summer to mid summer it bears dark golden yellow flowers, 1 1/4″ long. It tends to straggly, so should be pruned to about half its size in autumn.   Tolerates coastal areas quite well. Zones 8-9