Phlomis
Ornamental sage
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 2m × 0.5m – 3m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Aromatic and appealing shrubs with aromatic often rather woolly leaves, and yellow or lilac flowers that don't always add anything to the foliage effect of these shrubs. They are all softly coloured in grey and grey green, even a soft, rather textured green (Phlomis longifolia). Some forms have a soft yellowish tint (Phlomis chrysophylla) and some can make a large, spreading, almost imposing statement (Phlomis 'Edward Bowles'). Most of them have yellow flowers, but the modest Phlomis italic has lilac ones. These are lovely shrubs to mix with other sun lovers such as Lavenders, Sages and Rosemary.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, Purple, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Cream, Green, Grey, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Cube, Dome, Fan
- Height
- 0.5m – 2m
- Spread
- 0.5m – 3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Rock garden, Prairie garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural, Deer resistant, Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
In drought conditions where established plants in the ground have had no water for a month, do a deep watering. If drought continues repeat after a fortnight. Plants only need watering during spring to autumn growth. Check plants in pots more often.
Established plants have a good degree of drought tolerance. Water after a prolonged period of drought. Many drought tolerant plants can rapidly revive, even when much of the foliage has died. They will respond with new growth.
Spring - mid-late · Planting
Trim the plant
Trim the plant to give it a general tidy. This includes removing any lengthy or awkward shoots that make the plant look visually less attractive. Remove any spent flower heads at the same time.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Found in
More Phlomis
Phlomis russeliana
Russell's phlomis, Greek Jerusalem sage, Sticky Jerusalem sage
Phlomis chrysophylla
Golden leaved sage
Phlomis fruticosa
Jerusalem sage
Phlomis grandiflora 'Lloyd's Silver'
Lloyd's phlomis
Phlomis italica
Balearic Island phlomis
Phlomis tuberosa 'Amazone'
Tuberous phlomis, Jerusalem sage, Sage-leaf mullein
Phlomis tuberosa 'Bronze Flamingo'
Tuberous phlomis, Sage-leaf mullein