Jerusalem Sage

Phlomis fruticosa

• Position: full sun
• Soil: any fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: June and July
• Hardiness: fully hardy (borderline)
  
  In June and July, distinctive whorls of hooded, golden yellow flowers are strung like beads at intervals above sage-like, aromatic, grey-green leaves. This spreading evergreen shrub forms a neat mound and even after the flowers fade, it retains a dramatic presence in the border, with architectural seedheads that look wonderful among late-flowering perennials and grasses. Try it towards the middle of a sunny mixed or herbaceous border, or as part of a scheme with silver-leaved plants.
  
  
• Garden care: In mid-spring shorten any frost-damaged stems, cutting back to just above a healthy bud. Remove any weak or diseased shoots, cutting cleanly back to the base.
  
  
• Goes well with: Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet', Euphorbia characias subspecies wulfenii 'Lambrook Gold', Echinops ritro, Anthemis tinctoria 'Kelwayi', Eschscholzia mexicana 'Sun Shades', Artemisia absinthium 'Lambrook Silver'