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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: Spain (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Lavender |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Height: 4-6 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Phlomis purpurea (Purple Phlomis) – A sprawling shrub that grows 4-6 feet tall by as wide with upright stems bearing woolly, medium gray-green leaves and lavender flowers in whorls that rise just above the foliage throughout the year with a peak bloom in late spring. Plant in a sunny location in soils of low to moderate fertility that drain well. Will also grow in light shade. This tough plant require very little summer watering once established in coastal conditions but does best with occasional irrigation inland. We have never had any frost damage this plant and have been told it is hardy to at least 15° F. A great plant for adding gray foliage and pinkish purple flowers to the garden, especially in areas with deer as this plant is avoided by them. Cut back after each flowering period for best appearance. This plant is native to Spain, Portugal and Morocco where it grows on hillsides and in rocky places. The name for the genus dates back to the first century AD from the Greek physician Dioscorides use of the word to describe some plants in the genus and it thought to originate from the Greek word meaning "flame" because the leaves of some species were used for lamp wicks. The specific epithet refers to the typical flower color. We have offered this plant at the nursery since 1990 and got our original stock plant from Marshal Olbrich at his Western Hills Nursery in 1988.
The information about Phlomis purpurea displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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