Phlomis samia L.

RHS Plant Profile
Greek Jerusalem sage

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming perennial with rough-textured, heart-shaped and long, dark green leaves and, unusually, foliage is not hairy nor silvery grey. Whorls of soft mauve-pink flowers shoot up in spring flowering all through summer. Seedheads can offer structural interest in winter and also attract wildlife

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous, Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Phlomis can be herbaceous perennials or evergreen shrubs, with sage-like leaves and whorls of tubular, hooded flowers over a long period in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Slovenia to Turkey

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will grow nicely in fertile well-drained soil in full sun but prefering partial shade and moist soils

Propagation

Propagate by division and seed in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back to the ground as the foliage dies down, flower heads can be left until spring for winter interest if upright

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)