About Phlomis russeliana (Sims) Lag. ex Benth.
Phlomis russeliana, commonly known as Turkish sage, is a flowering plant species in the family Lamiaceae. It is native to Turkey and Syria in southwest Asia. It is frequently confused with the closely related species Phlomis samia, and is often incorrectly marketed as Phlomis viscosa. This plant is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 1 metre (3.3 feet) tall, with hairy, erect stems. Its textured, grey-green, sage-like leaves are arrow-shaped and point downwards. In summer, whorls of green buds form in the leaf axils at regular intervals along each vertical stem, creating a distinct tiered appearance. These buds open into globose clusters of dull yellow hooded flowers. Phlomis russeliana is grown as an ornamental garden plant, and performs best in moist soil under full sun. It is hardy in all temperate zones down to −20 °C (−4 °F). The flowers are long-lasting; dried flower heads add architectural interest to gardens through the winter, and produce multiple seeds for propagation in early spring. This species has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
