The yellow flowers of Phlomis (commonly called Jerusalem sage) girdling the stems at intervals as the strong shoots push their way through most opposition are not perhaps seen in so many gardens as you might expect, as they are stately, tough, hardy and reliable. Can be a bit of a bully, though, so mine gets three quarters of its rhizomes removed annually and it is only planted where it has to fight for the light against other strong growers. Here it is seen a amongst Geum, Anemone japonica, and Lavatera trimestris. 


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