Jerusalem Sage is a very striking and unusual plant to add to your drought tolerant or deer resistant garden. The fuzzy gray-green leaves seem to be unpalatable to deer, and being a Mediterranean native makes it a great choice for our dry summers.

Phlomis fruticosa acts as more of a shrub than perennial; staying evergreen in all but the coldest winters. Ours died back a few years ago when it got to 7 degrees but came back full and lush the next summer. It can grow to 4′ tall and wider, but can be pruned in late winter just before new growth begins, to clean out the old and keep it more compact. We have found it to be fully deer resistant even in the hills of east Medford and seems to be tolerating the clay there as well, as long as it is not overwatered. The large, fuzzy leaves make a nice contrast to the finer leaves of most drought tolerant plants, and Phlomis also brings a strong structural element to your landscape design!

Starting in May, yellow flowers emerge in whorls along sturdy stems, attracting bees and butterflies throughout late spring into early summer. They are quite unique and are often referred to as Dr. Seuss-like! Phlomis will take blasting hot full sun to light shade and tolerates poor soil and even some clay if not overwatered, but does prefer good drainage.

Phlomis russeliana is a similar looking Jerusalem Sage that we sometimes carry; it is more of a large scale groundcover spreading by underground runners, and sporting even larger leaves and bi-color pale and bright yellow blooms.  It stays a bit shorter and can form large colonies if left unchecked.  This Turkish species also is quite happy in partial shade conditions, making it even more useful.

We most often grow ‘Edward Bowles’, a cross between Phlomis fruticosa and P. russeliana. It often has larger leaves than the straight fruticosa species, but otherwise looks very simliar, growing 3-4′ tall and 4-6’+ wide.

Jerusalem Sages remain attractive even after their blooms fade, with architectural seed heads that resemble honeycomb like clusters speared along strong square stems, providing interest throughout the colder months and seed for birds. As a bonus they make a wonderful addition to bouquets as well!  These tough sub-shrubs look great with ornamental grasses, Lavender, Nepeta, Aster, Sage, Vitex, and other Mediterranean-type plants. If the foliage starts to decline after flowering commences, just prune back the flower stems to prevent energy diverting into seed production.  Or leave them up to enjoy anyway and cut them back in late winter when it’s time to do a big clean-out of mushy old foliage and removal of any damage from the cold months.