Phlomis

Why do we grow so many Phlomis species? Because we can and each have their claim to fame. Not all that we grow are currently available, but this is the run down. Phlomis fruticosa is the well known Jerusalem Sage, which is woody with hairy grey/green leaves and bright yellow flowers. P. chrysophylla is similar but has golden down on the young leaves which are longer and greyer. P. purpurea is very similar in leaf to P.fruticosa but has pink flowers (not purple), as does P.italica which has distinctly longer, narrower and greyer leaves than all the rest. P. russelliana is more of a perennial forming a mat of large grey leaves form which arise stems of yellow flowers of a softer shade than P. fruticosa. P. tuberosa is herbaceous, overwintering as tubers from which arise tall stems (150 cm) of deep pink flowers. P. longifolia is shrubby again, being distinct in having large dark green leaves; its bright yellow flowers are very showy. All are hardy, but can be damaged by winter wet and cold, but they do recover.