PHLOMIS fruticosa

Interesting small evergreen shrub, spread spontaneously in the Mediterranean scrub; native to the Mediterranean basin, it can develop up to 1 m in height and even 1.5 m in width. With a typical dense and compact habit, it has woody branches that branch out from the base. The apical parts of these stems have a herbaceous consistency and have leaves similar to those of sage, opposite, lanceolate with a gray-green upper surface and a whitish-gray lower surface. In spring, showy yellow-sulfur inflorescences develop from the axil of the leaves and decorate the plant for a long time.

Rustic and without any particular need, it requires sunny exposure and dry, stony soils, even poor in nutrients and perfectly drained. It tolerates drought and saltiness very well: therefore it lends itself to the creation of coastal gardens or environmental restoration projects in coastal areas. It can stand freezing, only if intense and prolonged or associated with conditions of high atmospheric and soil humidity. In autumn it is possible to intervene with a light pruning consisting in the removal of dry, disordered or damaged stems and in the shortening of the apical ones in order to stimulate their growth and give an increasingly thick and compact shape. Scarcely ornamental, it is not very suitable for growing in pots; in the open ground it can be used to form truly rustic borders, it can be associated with other essences of the Mediterranean scrub with contrasting foliage and blooms, or it can cover steep areas and slopes, usefully retaining the soil thanks to its extensive root system.