Phlomis fruticosa

Jerusalem sage is a Mediterranean shrubby perennial with fuzzy gray-green leaves and lemon yellow flowers that clasp the stems in whorls. It brightens a garden bed and hearkens balmy weather. It will remain evergreen in warm zones (8-10) but will die back in the colder ones.

We've noted Jerusalem sage in several European medicinal gardens. It is used in traditional medicine in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. P. fruticosa, being in the mint family, is lightly resinous and clove-scented.