Phlomis fruticosa

RHS Plant Profile
Jerusalem sage

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Jerusalem sage RHS 2002
Jerusalem sage visionspictures.com

Other common names

Jupiter's distaff, yellow clary

Synonyms

Phlomis angustifolia

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A small, spreading evergreen shrub, the erect shoots bearing sage-like, grey-green ovate leaves to 12cm in length. Flowers 3cm in length, hooded, deep yellow, appear in whorls in the upper leaf axils from early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
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
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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
Mediterranean

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in any well-drained fertile soil in full sun. Seed heads can be left over winter for their effect

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or division in the spring. Propagate by seed in late spring under cover

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Pruning group 8 or pruning group 9

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)