Plant of the Month – May – Phlomis Russeliana

phlomis russelianaOne of my personal favourites and in my view a much underrated and underused plant, Phlomis Russeliana , is  bone-hardy with stout stems bearing tiered whorls of hooded, butter yellow flowers in summer, above rough heart-shaped basal leaves.Hailing from Syria it is a valuable and easy plant that thrives in almost any soil. We have it planted in dense shade right through to full sun and it thrives all over!Phlomis-Russeliana1Rich buttery yellow flowers appear in June-Aug but is in its element as soon as the mature plant sends up it flower spikes in May. Grey green heart shaped basal leaves act as a great foil to to the flowers and ultimately the impressive seedheads. Good ground cover too.H&S 3ft x 2ft.