This mounding , shrubby perennial with flower spike similar to snapdragon attracts bee , butterflies , and hummingbirds .

The muzzy leave of absence of Jerusalem salvia were used as lamp wick in ancient time , hence its other common name , lamp taper industrial plant . This bombastic , mounding , shrubby perennial has curl of lemon yellow - yellow flower spike similar to snapdragon in tardy spring to belated summertime . The nectar attracts bees , butterflies , and hummingbirds .   The mild , wooly , white-haired - green leave are deal with fine fuzz and resemble the leaf oflamb ’s ear .

Jerusalem sage has a wide geographic statistical distribution image stretching from the teetotal rocky drop-off and slope in the eastern Mediterranean to Turkey and into Central Asia . As a appendage of the mint family , it is a moderate to fast grower and drought - tolerant .

Article image

In zone 8 - 10 , Jerusalem salvia remains evergreen . In Zones 5 - 7 , it will die back in the wintertime but the roots are quite cold - fearless and there is a estimable luck that the works will issue forth back the following spring .

Where to Plant Jerusalem Sage

Plant Jerusalem sage in full sun or part shade and moist , well - drain soil with a slightly acidulous or neutral pH.

Good stead to plant Jerusalem sage are perennial margin alongside intrepid perennials , in cottage gardens , or curve or dried flower gardens . Because it gets quite big , it is also worthy for aggroup with evergreen shrubs , where it will allow for a welcome fit of summertime color . It is attractive both as a specimen or mass planting .

How and When to Plant Jerusalem Sage

Plant Jerusalem sage in the leaping . grind a gob at least twice the size of the glasshouse pot and just as deep . Place the plant in the cakehole and backfill with the original soil so that the top of the root testicle is moneyed with the soil . Tamp down the soil and water it well . Keep the soil moist for the first few workweek and water it on a regular basis during the first growing season to encourage a strong origin system .

Space plants 3 to 4 foot apart .

Jerusalem Sage Care Tips

Jerusalem sage is a elusive , low - maintenance plant .

Light

Plant Jerusalem sage infull sunor partial shade . In too much shade , the plant becomes leggy .

Soil and Water

Jerusalem sage adapts to various soil case with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0 but well - drained soil is required .

Watering is only required until the plant is established ; afterward , it is drought - large-minded .

Temperature and Humidity

Jerusalem sage thrives in hot , dry conditions while also being cold - intrepid . It is less suitable for areas with live and humid summers .

Fertilizer

Jerusalem sage does not require fertiliser , in fact , too muchnitrogenwill lead to weak growth . At the most , scatter some compost around the fundament of the plant in the spring .

Pruning

After the bloom , cutting back the faded flower stems may encourage additional blooming . Once it has complete blooming for the year , for a tasteful , more attractive configuration , cut the works back by about half .

Potting and Repotting

Jerusalem salvia is suitable to be mature in container . employ a pot at least 5 column inch extensive in diameter than the nursery can and check that it has big drain holes . Fill the container with well - draining potting mix . Keep in psyche that container plant need more frequent lacrimation and fertilizer than inground plants .

Although the plant life is winter - hardy , grow it in a pot   scupper its beginning to frost and freeze - and - thaw cycle . The pots should remain outdoors during the winter but you need to protect the roots by bury the pot in the ground or insulating the roots by localise the pot in a second , larger stack to produce a planting silo .

When grown as an annual , Jerusalem sage wo n’t require repotting during its single growing season . Otherwise , repot to a larger container with fresh potting mix will be required when the roots outgrow the pot .

Pests and Problems

Except for leafhoppers , Jerusalem sage is not prostrate to serious pest . It is deer- and rabbit - resistant .

How to Propagate Jerusalem Sage

There are three ways to spread Jerusalem salvia : divide the root ball in the spring , root deal cutting off in the summertime , or sowing seeds in late spring .

The seeds can be direct sown outdoors after the last danger of frost but in country with long winters , it is best tostart the seed indoorsin pots or jail cell packs . Press 3 to 4 seeds into the land and cover it only with a dusting of dirt . Keep the dirt evenly moist . At a temperature around 65 academic degree F. germination takes 40 to 60 days . lean to the strongest seedling in each pot . transplanting the seedling outdoors after the last springiness frost .

Types of Jerusalem Sage

Tuberous Jerusalem Sage

Tuberous Jerusalem sage ( Phlomis tuberosa ) has vasiform , lavender - pink flower that maturate in impenetrable , whorled clusters between May and July . It reaches 2 to 4 understructure in height and spreads 1.5 to 2 infantry . The industrial plant is native to central and southeastern Europe and Asia . Zone 6 - 9

Turkish Sage

Phlomis russelianais native to Turkey and Syria where it uprise in undetermined timber and clearing . It has large , roughly - textured , olive - fleeceable , aromatic leaves and pale yellow flowers between June and September . Its mature height is 2 to 3 feet and its width is 1.5 to 2 feet . Zone 5 - 9

Purple Phlomis

Growing 4 to 6 ft tall and almost as wide , purplish phlomis ( Phlomis purpurea ) is more of a sprawling bush . It is native to Spain and North Africa . In late spring to summertime , rosy - lavender hooded bloom look in whorls just above the addled , gray - green leafage . Zone 9 - 10

Jerusalem Sage Companion Plants

Catmint

The rich purple bloom ofcatmintexplode into semblance in former summer just as the leaping incandescent lamp are stop and before many of your summer perennial start to bloom . Catmints are easy - care , fast - arise works . These plant can handle a mixed bag of crafty soils — one of the best thing about catmints is their stamina and ability to cover poor filth conditions . Zone 3 - 9

Bee Balm

Bee balmis a certain bet for bringing pollinator to the garden with their flush reminiscent of fireworks in a variety of colors . Vigorous ontogeny and a long bloom time also make this aboriginal plant a standout in any garden setting . The many additional uses of different part of the plant make them handy to have around . Because of the   popularity of pollinator plants , handiness has surged , and many varieties of bee balm are light to recover for sale . Bee balm is an   splendid rabbit - repellent plant   that does good where it will get at least 6 hours of full sun . Zone 3 - 9

Lavender

A shrubby recurrent native to the Mediterranean realm , lavenderappeals to almost every sense , with its calming scent , biting taste , dainty flowers , and velvety grey - fleeceable leaves . Bonus place : It is cervid - resistant and attracts butterflies and pollinators . In its aboriginal home ground in the Mediterranean , lavender grows in rocky , slightly alkaline soils and performs better in a pH chain of 6.5 to 8.2 . The more your planting site mimics these weather , the better the plant will do . Zone 5 - 9

Frequently Asked Questions

Although the plant grows fast by rhizomes , it is not take an invasive plant life in North America . Gardeners apprise it as a ground cover that inhibit pot .

It is not a unremarkably used culinary herbaceous plant but is grown for its decorative value . If you want salvia for cookery , plantSalvia officinalis , which will cater you with the upright feeling .

Updated by Nadia Hassani