Phlomis purpurea

photo:(left) JG in SF (right)Karl Hauser

Need a large almost ever-blooming shrub for a HOT, DRY, DEER INFESTED location? Presto! Phlomis purpurea is here to save the day! About 4-6’ tall & 4’ across, this pretty native of Spain bears large & attractive whorls of rosy-lavender hooded blooms. Loads of wooly, upright branching stems create a dense form with attractive leathery aromatic grey-green lance-shaped foliage. Requiring little more than a bit of drainage & a good cutback (to about 1’ in the Fall), this tough character thrives in the heat of the Central Valley & combines nicely with other easy heat lovers such as Lavender, Cistus & Rosemary. Hardy to 15 degrees F.

Annie