Jerusalem Sage

Scientific Name: Phlomis fruticosa
Plant Family: Lamiaceae

A wonderful drought-tolerant shrub for Southern California gardens is Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa), This member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) is native to the eastern Mediterranean Basin, a region with a climate like our own. There are many other species of Phlomis is cultivation, including ones with purple or pinkish flowers. In many respects one can see similarities of Phlomis to their cousins the Salvia (sage) species in our gardens. The evergreen leaves are opposite and stems are often covered with white or golden hairs. The flowers are in whorls as with the sages. The name "phlomis" comes from the Greek word for flame, as the leaves of some species were used to make lamp wicks in ancient Greece.