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Common Name: Jerusalem Sage

General Information

Phlomis fruticosa is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 1.30 metres tall.
The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a ground cover

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Europe - Mediterranean.

Habitat

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

Properties

Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

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[].

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, mid summer in a frame.
Layering.