Jerusalem sage
Phlomis purpurea
A tough, purple-flowered pioneer for dry, degraded banks — quick to establish, drought-proof and a magnet for pollinators, though it gives little mulch and dislikes hard frost.
Jerusalem sage in a syntropic line
Jerusalem sage belongs in the Ground cover layer as a Secondary species. Aim for 2–4 species for resilient, continuous cover. Rough in-row spacing starts around 0.3 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Bladder senna, Butterfly bush. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Ground cover
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Rocky, Sandy
- Soil pH range
- 6 – 8
- Min. temperature
- -8°C
- Min. rainfall
- 350 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- No
How to manage it
Fast-establishing pioneer shrub for dry, poor banks; cut back hard after flowering to stay compact and encourage fresh growth.
How to propagate
Sow seed in spring on gritty soil, or take softwood cuttings in early summer.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Woody, low-yield chop-and-drop material. Flammable when dry; can suffer dieback in hard inland frosts.
Frequently asked questions about Jerusalem sage
Is jerusalem sage frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -8°C when dormant, with medium frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does jerusalem sage need?
It does best on rocky, sandy ground, at pH about 6–8.
How much water does jerusalem sage need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 350 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can jerusalem sage handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — jerusalem sage has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with jerusalem sage?
Woody, low-yield chop-and-drop material. Flammable when dry; can suffer dieback in hard inland frosts.
Jerusalem sage in soil templates
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