Return from Jerusalem Sage to Flowers of Israel. Photo credits: Salvia hierosolymitana, Jerusalem bellflower - Gideon Pisanty Jerusalem sage - Stan Shebs, all under a CC by 3.0 license. (If you want to include it in your garden of Holy Land flora, one of the few places to supply salvia hierosolymitana seeds online is Horizon Herbs.) Unlike the other phlomis, which is a very popular perennial, this salvia is fairly rare to find in cultivation outside of Israel. The large leaves are used in local cuisine, filled with meat or grains just like vine leaves. They grow atop branches about a foot long above a basal mound of leaves that can be two-feet wide. Sometimes also known as Royal Sage, it sports wine- or purple-red blossoms that are about an inch or smaller. Unlike most other members of the mint family, this plant has no smell and no known medicinal purpose. It is native to the Jerusalem area and the surrounding Judean hills. Salvia hierosolymitana, unlike phlomis, bears its Jerusalemite name in both English and Latin. Phlomis fruticosa, a tall, yellow-blossoming plant is popular with experienced gardeners, especially in the United Kingdom, where it has been cultivated for over 400 years. Phlomis Jerusalem Sage While many California natives and Mediterranean flora are drought tolerant during our long dry season, a preponderance of these is not summer-blooming, a goal sought after by most gardeners.
![jerusalem sage jerusalem sage](https://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/images/phlfruticosabush.jpg)
They tend to have a very strong flavor, so one or two leaves in a cup of boiling water or tea are usually sufficient. The leaves of many - but not all - phlomis plants can be used as herbs in cooking or brewed into tea. They bloom around our capital, as well as in much of the north of Israel, between the months of March and June. There are over 100 different phlomis species, including phlomis vicosa and phlomis brachyodon. The most widespread contender for the name is one of the world’s favorite perennials, known in Latin as phlomis.
![jerusalem sage jerusalem sage](https://florgeous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/jerusalem-sage-1024x683.jpg)
![jerusalem sage jerusalem sage](https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/758333/758333677061.jpg)
In fact, there are about 24 different varieties growing in Israel. Jerusalem sage may refer to two completely different flowers of Israel.