Family: Lamiaceae

Originating from southern Europe, northern Africa and Asia, this genus consists of about 100 species of perennials and shrubs rather similar to sage. The flowers may be yellow, white or lilac, and form circular whorls near the tops of the tall stems. The leaves are large and wrinkled, and highly aromatic. Phlomis can with-stand coastal conditions with poor soil, and fairly severe drought.

Species

P. chrysophylla, from south-western Asia, is an evergreen, growing 70 cm to 1 m tall (28-40 in), with broad, gray-green leaves and yellow, summer flowers.

P. fruticosa, Jerusalem sage, the best known variety, is a mounded evergreen, with wrinkly, gray-green leaves that may grow to 1 m (3 ft) in ideal conditions. The golden yellow tlowers grow in whorls up the stem in late spring or summer.

P. ruseliana (Synonym: P. samia) is an upright-growing perennial with slightly hairy, oval leaves and hooded, pale primrose flowers, from late spring through most of summer. In all of the species, the dried flowering stems remain decorative after the flowers have fallen.

Cultivation

These shrubs can be grown in any type of well-drained soil. Once they are established, they can tolerate long periods without any rain at all. Propagate from seed sown in spring, or from cuttings in late summer.

Climate

Zone 7, but zone 9 for P. clrrvsophylla.