Phlomis russeliana

TURKISH SAGE

Phlomis russeliana
TURKISH SAGE

Phlomis russeliana is a star in the dry garden.

Unusual flowers of sunshine

Because the blooms have a very unusual form; in stacked tiers of whorled fingers, on tall stems; and coloured with soft blends of sunshine yellow.

Stacked tiers of blooms for months

Abundant columns of flowers keep stacking up through the summer.

Furry buds & autumn finches

With the extra bonus of delightful furry, domed buds on the tops of the stems from spring to the end of summer as the stems soar up.
Eventually turning into columns of decorative seed heads in autumn.
Which our native finches and seed eating feathered friends also find very useful through the winter.

Mounds of attractive foliage all year

However Phlomis russeliana is worth growing as a foliage plant too.
With broad, attractive, pleated foliage that makes a low mound of heart shaped, olive-green leaves with grey backs, all year round.
So Turkish Sage gives a permanent textural contrast in the garden, even when it is not in flower.

Copes well with dry gardens & heat

Phlomis russeliana is native to dry parts of Turkey and Syria.
So it is no surprise that it copes so well with hot, dry locations, once established; and is known as Turkish Sage (though a Sage it aint).

Recommended for gardeners with limited water supply

This is a plant we can wholeheartedly recommend for gardeners with limited water supply, or hot, and dry conditions.
Because Phlomis russeliana is both drought tolerant & water-wise.

Revels in Sun & frost

It revels in Full Sun, and tolerates prolonged heat and dry periods well.
Though in very hot areas it may be worth placing it where it receives a little afternoon shade relief so the gorgeous leaves remain in top form all summer.
It is equally tough and hardy in frost, being able to tolerate temperatures down to approx. -20C, depending on conditions.

Tough, easy & low maintenance

Phlomis russeliana is a tough, easy grower, and no trouble to have around as it is such low maintenance.
The only annual work is to cut it back hard after flowering to tidy up, and encourage more of those wonderful leaves.

Not fussy about soil

Turkish Sage is not fussy about soil, so will grow in a wide range of soils from sandy to clay (as long as it is opened up and well drained). Though it likes nothing better than sandy conditions.
And it can tolerate soil pH on both the acid and alkaline side of neutral.

Excellent cut flowers

The showy columns of whorled flowers and domed buds make excellent cut flowers all through summer (as well as the dried heads for winter arrangements).

Rabbit & deer resistant

Our furry foes are quite put off by the high oil content in the aromatic foliage, and furry texture.

80-90cm. High with summer flower columns flower x 60cm. Wide of crinkly heart shaped leaves.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners

Sow indoors at any time.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Now gently pat the seeds to the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
Then just cover the seed very thinly with sieved mix/grit/sand.
Because these seeds need light for germination.

Now thoroughly moisten the mix by standing the sown punnet in a shallow water bath.
And allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight).

Temperatures of 13-18°C. are recommended for rapid and optimum germination.
And you can use a heat mat if you have one, but it is not essential, because a warm, well lit window sill will also do nicely.

Then continue to keep moist by misting from a spray water bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic or glass lid will also help to maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.

Seedlings emerge from 14 days on.

Seed Count: 8 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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