Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa)

A hardy, drought-tolerant shrub with an abundance of long-lasting, sunny yellow flowers

Jerusalem sage flowering in May

Like a lot of people, when I picked up my first Jerusalem Sage at a local herb nursery, I thought it was getting a true sage. Turns out that Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa) is not, but a cousin in the mint family (Lamiaceae) with a lot of similar characteristics.

Plant Description

The plant is a multi-stemmed perennial shrub that grows to about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide when mature. It has wooly green, spear tip-shaped leaves that give off a woodsy-herbal scent when crushed. In the spring and summer, it produces an abundance of showy, lemon-yellow flowers on stems that jut up about 12 inches from the main plant.

A Jerusalem sage flowering between cistus and French Lavender in the Mediterranean garden

The flowers are produced in double stacked whorls with parrot’s beak-shaped petals that surround the upright stem. They last for 1 to 2 weeks before the petals fall leaving a green, waffle cone that can be cut and used in dried flower arrangements.

Plant Care

While not a true sage, Jerusalem sage has many of the same needs. It prefers full sun or partial shade, isn’t picky about soil, and requires very little water, making it a good choice for dry gardens.

The plant hails from the eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, Greece, and Turkey, but can be found as far north as the Black Sea, so while it’s happiest in warmer climates, it will survive down to 18° F. In the cold it loses its leaves in winter, but in warmer areas like my USDA Zone 9, it remains green year-round.

The plant produces and abundance of lemon yellow flowers in spring and summer

Flowers start to form in early spring after the weather warms, reaching their peak in mid-spring. Given regular water, if you cut the flower stems back to the main plant after the first bloom has finished, it will flower again in mid-to-late summer.

As far as I can tell, it needs no fertilizer either. At least in the 10+ years I’ve had them, I’ve never fed them and they still seem to grow quite happily.

In the Garden

Jerusalem sage blooms yellow, making it a nice highlight for salvias that bloom blue, purple or pink. It grows quite happily with other Mediterranean natives like rosemary, lavender, cistus, and true sages (salvias).

I’ve found it also does well with south African natives like Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonarus), which has very similar flowers, but are orange and a good foot taller.

The plant produces and abundance of lemon yellow flowers in spring and summer

A Lion’s Tail in bloom has similar flowers to the Jerusalem sage

California and southwest natives like black sage (Salvia millefera), Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii), and similar plants also do quite well with it in the garden.

The plant spreads easily via seed or cuttings and lives quite a long time. My plants are now over 10 years old and still going strong with essentially no care beyond the occasional trimming and watering.

After the petal have fallen, the seed head can be used in dried arrangements

Pollinators and Pests

When it’s in full bloom, the plant draws bees and butterflies. I’ve noticed that our native furry bumble bees are particularly drawn to it, as are the painted lady butterflies.

As for pests, if it has any, I’ve never seen them. No fungi, no aphids, white flies, not even ants which seem to get into everything. No doubt this has a bit to do with the fact that it’s grown in dry, fast draining decomposed sandstone, so soil-borne pests are kept to a minimum. But I’ve never had a trouble with it even in El Niño winters when everything is wet for an extended period.

Summary

Even though it’s not a true sage, Jerusalem sage shares a lot of similarities which makes it a great companion for them, especially in low-water areas. Its medium height, shrubby growth habit and fuzzy leaves makes it an attractive garden companions when it’s not in bloom, and a showy, yellow centerpiece when it is.

With no pests (that I know of), a low-care needs, and hardiness down to zone 4, it’s a great choice for all kinds of gardens. I have mine in a dry Mediterranean garden, planted with lavenders, cistus, rosemary, and Pride of Madiera, where it grows quite happily year in and year out.

I definitely recommend it for anyone who wants low maintenance, easy-care plants that stand up well over time.