About

An evergreen, woody perennial with rough-textured, heart-shaped and long, dark green leaves which are hairy and silvery green on the underside. Has whorls of bright yellow, hooded flowers all through summer. Seedheads can offer structural interest in winter and also attract wildlife.

About the genus

Phlomis can be herbaceous perennials or evergreen shrubs, with sage-like leaves and whorls of tubular, hooded flowers over a long period in summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationWill grow nicely in fertile well-drained soil in full sun and will tolerate some partial shade
PruningPrune old wood in spring, see pruning group 9 or pruning group 8 for more detail
PropagationPropagate by seed or division in spring and softwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leafhoppers
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)