Turkish Sage

A handsome plant with a long season of interest, Phlomis russeliana is a herbaceous perennial with a very upright, clump-forming habit. The large, heart-shaped leaves are grey-green with a rough texture, forming a dense, weed-suppressing mound. From May to July, soft yellow, sage-like flowers, 1”/3cm long and good for pollinators, are borne in whorls around the stiff, upright, leafy stems. The seed-heads, first green, later brownish, persist into winter. Rabbit-resistant. Sometimes known as Jerusalem sage, Turkish sage holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any light, well-drained soil
Position: Best in full sun
Season of interest: Late spring to winter
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 3’ (90cm) Spread: 28” (70cm)

Photos by HQ and Ellie Enking and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.