Phlomis fruticosa Jerusalem Sage PFAF Plant Database

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Phlomis fruticosa - L.

Common Name

Jerusalem Sage

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Dry cliffs and rocky places in limestone hills to 1000 metres[184].

Range

Europe - Mediterranean.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Phlomis fruticosa is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.3 m (4ft 3in) by 1.5 m (5ft).
It is hardy to zone 7. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
Can be grown as a low hedge, it is very tolerant of trimming. A good dense ground cover for a sunny sheltered position, though it needs weeding for the first year or so[197].

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained soil in full sun[182] with shelter from cold winds[200]. Grows well in poor gravelly soils and on hot dry banks[182]. Grows better in the milder areas of Britain[197]. Prefers very little water in the summer. Established plants are drought resistant[190]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c when growing in a well-drained soil[202]. Plants flower most freely on young wood so any pruning is best done in late spring[202]. The leaves, when bruised, emit an aromatic sage-like perfume[245]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. It normally germinates quickly in warm weather. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Layering.

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References

Links / References

[182]Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.

Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[184]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs.

Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and cultivars.

[190]Chatto. B. The Dry Garden.

A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.

[197]Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants.

A handy little booklet from the R.H.S.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[202]Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs.

Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.

[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
	Mon Jun 30 2008

The flowers can be pulled out and a bit of tasty nectar can be sucked out through the "straw". It is a favorite flower for the kids. Have rarely seen any bees or instects around the flowers. The flavor of the nectar varies as does the color of the flowers.

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