Plant Calculator
Enter the approximate length and width of the area you will be planting and click 'Calculate' to determine how many Phlomis fruticosa you will need.
*Correct and successful spacing is complex and depends on project conditions.
Phlomis fruticosa
Jerusalem Sage
- Drought tolerant
- Deer tolerant
- Unique bloomer
- Hardiness Zone: 7a
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 3-4 ft
- Spacing: 3-4 ft
- Bloom Color: Yellow
Jerusalem Sage is a drought-tolerant, evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean, prized for its soft, woolly gray-green foliage and whorls of bright yellow, tubular flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. Though not a true sage, it shares many traits with salvias, including strong heat tolerance and low water needs, making it well-suited for Central and West Texas landscapes. The flowers attract bees and butterflies, adding ecological value to xeric garden designs.
This plant thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained, alkaline or neutral soils. It is highly deer-resistant, thanks to its aromatic foliage, and performs well in rock gardens, dry borders, Mediterranean-style landscapes, or mass plantings. Once established, it requires minimal irrigation. While not ideal for poorly drained or heavy clay soils, it can thrive on slopes or raised beds where drainage is better. Jerusalem Sage grows to about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. When planting in groups, space plants 3 to 4 feet apart to allow for air circulation and growth.
Though technically evergreen in mild winters, foliage may suffer cosmetic damage in hard freezes, especially in USDA Zones 7 and lower. In colder regions of Texas, it benefits from mulching around the base in winter and light pruning in early spring to remove any frost-damaged stems and encourage bushier growth.