Phlomis purpurea

Phlomis purpurea, also known as Jerusalem Sage, is an excellent perennial for dry soil. Its white and woolly stems bear evergreen, grey-green foliage, silvery in summer and decorative all year round. They develop original, very soft mauve-pink flowers in tiered clusters, in late spring. It is easy to grow in full sun in poor, well-drained soil and will establish itself in the garden without requiring much care. Ideal in rock gardens, raised beds, and of course in dry Mediterranean gardens.

Phlomis are plants of the Lamiaceae family, just like lavenders. Phlomis purpurea is a botanical species native to northwest Africa and the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula. Its habitat corresponds to dry, sparse scrubland with limestone soil, found near the Mediterranean coast. This plant grows up to 1000m (3281ft) altitude. It has a cold resistance of -9°C (15.8°F) at the lowest, in well-drained soil.

Phlomis purpurea forms a tuff of leafy stems that will quickly reach 80-90cm (32-35in) high and 60 to 80cm (24 to 32in) wide. Its crown spreads over time thanks to shoots emerging from the roots and the plant eventually forms a ground-covering mass. The flowering period extends from May to June, or even from June to July depending on the climate. Rings of two-lipped flowers appear towards the top of the stems. These flowers are shaped like curved helmets and measure approximately 2 to 3cm (1in). Their colour is a very soft mauve pink, harmonising with the almond-green tint of the foliage. The foliage persists in the winter in Mediterranean areas or in regions where frost is not pronounced. It is very decorative and it consists of narrow, lanceolate, velvety leaves with a greyish-green upper side, a lighter, silvery grey underneath. This foliage will become even lighter in hot and dry conditions.

In the garden, Phlomis purpurea thrives in full sun in very well-drained soil, preferably poor and rocky. In gardens further north, it is essential to find a very sheltered location and plant it in well-drained soil. Phlomis purpurea blends beautifully with other rockery perennials, such as lavenders, rockroses, oregano, or even rosemary. It will naturally fit into a dry Mediterranean garden. It also integrates well into a wild garden or a rock garden.