Phlomis (Jerusalem Sage)
at Digging Dog

Including Phlomis fruticosa, Phlomis russeliana, & Phlomis tuberosa

Phlomis

Jerusalem Sage

Drought resistant and hardy, this genus belongs to the Mint family and includes about 100 perennials and subshrubs from the Mediterranean and western Asia. Well suited to our California climate, many of the species will thrive in warm, sunny sites and dry woodland edges.

Whorls of purple, pink or yellow flowers bloom in the summer, providing long lasting dry stems and flower clusters for decoration in the garden or kitchen.

Phlomis fruticosa  

These bright yellow flowers bloom in a series of ball-like clusters known as verticillasters along stout stems and above felted, gray-green foliage. Used as a specimen or blended with Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ or Wood Oats, Phlomis fruticosa will provide bold color and form.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 4' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 6.

Phlomis fruticosa (P-0305)
Each $6.75
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Phlomis herba-venti    

Traipsing about the rocky slopes and scrubby areas of Crimea, the Caucasus Mountains and other Mediterranean haunts, this comely, seldom offered perennial has a lot to offer. A compact foundation of slender pubescent stems and lustrous dark green lance-shaped leaves gives way to long lasting whorled flowers that initially fool you into thinking they’ll be white, but open to a rich mallow pink.

A friend to the bees, butterflies and gardeners, Phlomis herba-venti can be married with Ballota pseudodictamnus, Centranthus or Lepechina hastata for easy-to-blend bloom colors and an arresting foliar medley.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 18"–20" high x 12"–15" wide; hardy to zone 6.

Phlomis herba-venti (P-1666)
Each $6.75
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Phlomis russeliana    

With architectural assertiveness, stout straight stems broadcast separate whorls of butter yellow hooded blooms. Maintaining a stalwart beauty throughout the winter, the stalks look equally impressive whether fresh or dried as they stand above large and broad, heart-shaped olive-green leaves. The fuzzy, scalloped foliage develops into a plush low growing, evergreen cover that keeps those pesky weeds at bay.

In our garden, Phlomis russeliana casts bold accents along a pathway, assorting with Aster ‘Ringdove’ and Molinias.

Blooms June–September.

Size: 3' high x 2' & spreading; hardy to zone 4.

Phlomis russeliana (p-1314)
Each $7.50
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Phlomis tuberosa    

Named for the small tubers that grow from its roots, this selection is perhaps the most unusual of all. Fuzzy leaf stems and large green leaves with toothed margins give the plant a coarse texture that is softened by lilac blossoms with reddish calyxes and deep crimson flower stems. Such distinctive character mixes especially well with grasses and Lavenders.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 4' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 6.

Phlomis tuberosa (P-0307)
Each $6.75
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Phlomis tuberosa ‘Amazone’      

With green arrow-shaped lush leaves, lustrous burgundy stalks and tiered wreaths of rosy lilac tubular flowers on statuesque stems, this well-mannered perennial adds dignity to the landscape. The toothed downy leaves compose a vigorous bushy base that’s nearly evergreen in many locales and capable of handling drought.

Versatile and equally at home in a formal setting or a meadow planting, ‘Amazone’ can be staged amid Stachys ‘Superba’ and Salvia ‘Amethyst’ for a fantastic purple and pink mélange. Zone 4/5.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 4'–5' high x 2'–3' wide; hardy to zone 5.

AVAILABLE LATE SPRING 2012

Phlomis tuberosa ‘Amazone’ (P-1710)
Each $7.50
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