Phlomis fruticosa: Drought-Tolerant Mediterranean Shrub

Mediterranean native with erect stems bearing widely spaced whorls of hooded, two-lipped flowers in yellow, purple, or lilac. Moisture-conserving thick, furry, lance-shaped to oval leaves are set opposite on stems.

Not fussy about soil but requires excellent drainage. In cool-summer areas, little water needed; in hot-summer regions, provide more moisture. Cut flowers are striking in arrangements; blooming stems dry well for winter bouquets.

Phlomis fruticosa (Jerusalem Sage)

Shrub to 4 feet tall and wide, with woolly gray-green leaves 6–8 inches long, 1¼ inches wide. Deep golden yellow, 1-inch flowers in ball-shaped whorls along upper stems. Cut back by half in fall to keep compact. With water, produces several bloom waves in spring/summer if lightly trimmed after each flush. Tolerates light shade part of day. Resistant to oak root fungus.