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Phlomis purpurea 'Alba'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

purple Jerusalem sage 'Alba'

A bushy, evergreen shrub to 60cm high woolly shoots and lance-shaped, hairy, silvery-grey green leaves up to 10cm long. Whorls of hooded white flowers are borne on upright stems in summer

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Green
Summer White Grey Silver Green
Autumn Grey Silver Green
Winter Grey Silver Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
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

Not established

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow nicely in fertile well-drained soil in full sun and will tolerate some partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division in spring and softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Prune old wood in spring, see pruning Group 9 or pruning group 8 for more detail

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)

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