Phlomis russeliana, Turkish sage, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to Turkey and Syria in south west Asia. It is often confused with the closely related P. samia,[1] and wrongly marketed as Phlomis viscosa.[2] Growing to 1m (03feet) tall, it is a herbaceous perennial with hairy, erect stems. The textured, grey-green, sage-like leaves are arrow shaped, and point downwards. In summer, whorls of green buds develop in the leaf axils at regular intervals up each vertical stem, giving a distinctive tiered effect. The buds open to globose clusters of dull yellow hooded flowers.[3]
Phlomis russeliana is cultivated as an ornamental garden flower, in moist soil in full sun. It is hardy in all temperate zones down to -20C. The flowers are long-lasting, the dried flower-heads providing architectural interest throughout the winter months, as well as multiple seeds for propagation in the early spring.[4] It has been given the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3]