Phlomis longifolia

RHS Plant Profile
long-leaved Jerusalem sage

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Phlomis longifolia?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
6 Suppliers

A smaller species, clump-forming perennial with rough-textured, heart-shaped and long, dark green leaves which are hairy and silvery green on the underside. Whorls of yellow flowers shoot up in spring flowering all through summer and autumn. Seedheads can offer structural interest in winter and also attract wildlife

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 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
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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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
SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by division and seed in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • 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 if upright for winter interest

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)