Phlomis tuberosa

Phlomis tuberosa: Tiered Burgundy Candelabras for Dry Sun

Lavender-pink whorls stacked up dark burgundy stems like bangles on an arm that's had a very good shopping day. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all want a closer look. ACCESSORIZE WITH CONFIDENCE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Phlomis tuberosa (now classified as Phlomoides tuberosa)
• Common Name: Tuberous Jerusalem Sage
• Height: 90–150 cm (3–5 ft) in flower
• Spread: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)
• Flowers: Lavender-pink, hooded flowers in dense whorls stacked along dark burgundy stems
• Bloom Time: Early to late summer (June to August)
• Foliage: Large, coarse, heart-shaped green leaves in a low basal clump
• Features: Seedheads for winter interest and birds

Where to Plant: It's a strong vertical for the middle or back of a sunny border and a natural fit for prairie, meadow and gravel plantings. The stems rise well above the leaves, so you can see through them to plants behind.

Companion Plants: Give tuberous Jerusalem sage a sunny, dry bed with pink rock cress, white pinks and white coneflowers. Aubrieta 'Rock On Pink' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with bright pink flowers from April to June. Dianthus Fruit Punch® 'Whipped Cream' adds fragrant white pinks at 20 to 25 cm in June and July. Echinacea Kismet® 'White' brings white coneflowers at 45 cm from June to October. Schizachyrium 'Little Red Fox' grows to 60 to 75 cm and turns red and copper in fall.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in well-drained, average to sandy soil. It tolerates light shade but may lean toward the light. It handles dry conditions far better than wet ones, so avoid heavy, soggy clay, especially over winter. Water through the first season, then only in long dry spells. Leave the stems standing after bloom for winter seedheads, then cut everything back in early spring. The plant grows from tuberous roots and forms a slowly expanding clump. Divide in spring if needed.

History: This species has one of the widest native ranges of any garden perennial, from east-central Europe and Turkey across Russia and Central Asia to Mongolia and northern China, where it grows in steppe grasslands. Botanists now place it in the genus Phlomoides, though nurseries still know it as Phlomis.

Final Thoughts: Leave the seedheads up and the birds get a winter snack bar. Drought tolerant and low maintenance. TALL, DARK AND HANDY.