Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Jerusalem sage, Yellow clary, Jupiter’s distaff
Jerusalem sage is a beautiful shrub well-know for its architectural whorls of deep yellow flowers and aromatic leaves. They are native to the Mediterranean region and grow well in temperate climate, as an ornamental plant.
Plant characteristics
Jerusalem sage plants can grow to a height of 1-1.2 meters with a woody, branching stem that can form an mounding shrub. Leaves are large, lance-shaped, with a bumpy texture like sage leaves.
They are aromatic, about 10 cm long, and covered with fine, white hairs on the lower surface, giving them a woolly texture.
Flowers of the Jerusalem sage are very interesting and uniquely shaped – symmetrical, circular whorls with hooked flowers that point downwards. The curved parts of the flower arranged in a circular design make them look like chandeliers.
Flowers are formed at the tips of the stem, after which the stem keeps growing again to form more whorls of flowers like a multi-storey building. Each flower is tubular, roughly 2-3 cm in diameters and surrounded by leafy bracts.
Jerusalem plants flower from late spring to early summer, blooming proliferously covering the garden with lush yellow flowers. These flowers attract small birds, bees, insects, and butterflies in abundance.
After flowering, Jerusalem sage plants produce small dry fruits known as nutlets. Each flowers can produce four nutlets that are brown, oval and about 1 cm in length. These seeds are contained in the circular disks that remain after the flowers dry up and fall away.
Gardening Tips
Jerusalem sage plants need good sunlight for at least 5-6 hours a day, without which they become leggy and bare. They are tolerant of drought once established in the soil, and need regular watering only during peak summer months.
Prune the plant to remove spent flower heads, so that the plant can bloom again. These plants are ideal as border plants or to grow in flower beds, and look best when many plants are grown together so that they flower in unison.
Jerusalem sage plants can grow quickly, and also weather through a range of climatic conditions, making them ideal for home gardens and parks.
Uses of Jerusalem sage
Parts of this plant have anti-inflammatory properties, and are used in the treatment of cuts, wounds, stomach ailments, ulcers, and other digestive disorders.
They can be grown in butterfly gardens since they bloom in plenty providing nectar for butterflies and insects. They are usually not eaten by grazing animals because of the aromatic, hairy leaves.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings. Seeds can be sown in early spring in well-drained soil that is kept moist so that the seedlings sprout quickly. Stem cuttings can be taken in late summer and planted after dipping the end in rooting hormone.
Photographed at: KEW gardens, London
