Turkish sage

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; flowering is usually strongest in sun.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Once established, it tolerates dry spells, though prolonged drought can leave the foliage looking tired.

Soil

Well-drained soil, including clay improved for drainage; tolerates chalk and a range of soil pH. Avoid ground that stays wet in winter.

Height

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Spread

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m), gradually wider through spreading rhizomes

Flowers

Pale yellow flowers in late spring and summer, held in spaced whorls around upright stems.

Foliage

Broad, heart-shaped to oval, wrinkled grey-green leaves with soft hairs. Semi-evergreen in mild climates, but foliage dies back in colder winters.

Growth

Moderate; established clumps can spread steadily.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

3. After 2 years

   2 ft (0.6 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.5 ft (0.75 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water deeply during dry spells in the first growing season.
• Avoid routine feeding; rich soil and excess fertiliser can encourage floppy growth.
• Apply a light compost mulch in spring, keeping it away from the crowns.
• Lift unwanted shoots at the edge of the clump to keep its spread within bounds.
• Divide congested clumps in spring if flowering declines.

Pruning. Leave the flowering stems standing through autumn and winter for structure. In late winter or early spring, cut old stems to the base and remove dead or damaged leaves without cutting away healthy basal growth.

Early spring

Cut down old flower stems and clear damaged foliage before new growth develops.

Spring

Plant or divide clumps, water thoroughly and apply a light compost mulch.

Late spring

Remove spreading shoots where they are crowding neighbouring plants.

Summer

Water new plants during dry weather; leave established plants alone unless drought is prolonged.

Autumn

Retain the dry flower stems for winter interest.

Winter

Check that water is not collecting around the crowns and improve drainage where needed.

• Plant in repeated groups through a sunny perennial border to give rhythm with its tiered flower stems.
• Combine with ornamental grasses and upright flowering perennials for a naturalistic planting.
• Use broad clumps beside paths or at the front of a deep border for contrasting leaf texture.
• Include in a well-drained gravel garden with other drought-tolerant perennials.
• Leave seed heads standing to add structure to a winter border.

Garden styles it suits: New perennial (prairie), Dry gravel garden, Cottage garden, Mediterranean, Pollinator garden and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Catmint, Russian sage, Yarrow, Purple coneflower, Feather reed grass and Hardy geranium.

Wildlife: The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other visiting insects. Standing stems offer shelter for small invertebrates over winter.

• Winter crown rot in waterlogged soil: improve drainage or move the plant to a raised, better-drained position.
• Slugs and snails damaging young growth: inspect emerging shoots and use barriers, hand-picking or locally approved controls.
• Unwanted spreading: dig out peripheral rhizomes and divide the clump to maintain its allotted space.
• Floppy stems or weak flowering in deep shade or rich soil: move to a brighter position and stop high-nitrogen feeding.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. No poisonous parts are established, but it is not a food plant and species-specific toxicity information is limited; discourage pets and children from eating it.

• Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa)

  A woody evergreen shrub with narrower, greyer leaves; Turkish sage forms herbaceous clumps with much broader basal leaves.

• Tuberous Jerusalem sage (Phlomis tuberosa)

  Has pink to lilac flowers, often on dark reddish stems, rather than the pale yellow flowers of Turkish sage.

The common name Turkish sage refers to its native occurrence in Turkey and its sage-like appearance, although it belongs to Phlomis rather than the true sage genus Salvia.

Propagation. Divide clumps in spring, taking sections with roots and healthy shoots. It can also be raised from seed, though germination may be slow and uneven.

Accepted botanical name

Phlomis russeliana

Native range

Turkey.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.