Editor's Pick
Phlomis fruticosa (Jerusalem Sage or lampwick plant)
Phlomis is a Greek word for "flame," a reference to the fact that the leaves of this plant were used as lamp wicks in ancient times. And you may remember from last month’s pick (Teucrium fruticans) that the specific epithet frutic means “shrubby.” On this particular shrub, the leaves are thick, furry, and soft to the touch. Not a true sage, despite its common name, its flowers bring to mind certain salvias, blooming in candelabra-like whorls every few inches on long, stiff stems. The bloom begins in spring and can last into the summer months, depending on conditions. The most common color is a bright yellow, but you can also find pale purple versions of Phlomis.
This plant is native to dry rocky cliffs and slopes in coastal and inland areas of the Mediterranean region; it is found in Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Turkey, and adapts well to different types of soils and variations in moisture. Jerusalem Sage can grow 3 to 4 feet wide and 4 to 5 feet tall. In colder climates, Phlomis are deciduous, dying back to the ground in winter. In our area, this shrub can be evergreen, even with very little supplemental water—perhaps once to twice a month in the hottest part of the year. It also requires little care, beyond clipping the spent flower stalks as needed.
Photographers
Flower: Teddy Llovet
Plant: Robin