Falling for Phlomis: A Gardener’s Appreciation
My name is Ferb Vu, and I’m a gardener. Not the kind with perfectly manicured rows of petunias or prize-winning roses. No, I’m drawn to the unusual, the plants that whisper stories of faraway lands and ancient times. That’s how I fell for Phlomis, a genus that boasts an intriguing blend of hardiness and exotic beauty.
Imagine silvery leaves, soft as lamb’s ears, arranged in neat tiers along sturdy stems. Then, picture hooded flowers bursting forth in vibrant whorls of yellow, pink, or purple. These architectural wonders, hailing from the Mediterranean to China, bring a touch of the dramatic to any garden.
A Diverse Family
Phlomis is a diverse genus, encompassing over 100 species of herbaceous perennials and shrubs. Some, like Phlomis fruticosa, are evergreen shrubs that thrive in dry, sunny conditions. Others, like Phlomis tuberosa, die back in winter, only to reemerge with renewed vigor in the spring. This variety ensures there’s a Phlomis for nearly every garden.
Here are species within this genus:
- Phlomis × alanyensis Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis amanica Vierh.
- Phlomis angustissima Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis anisodonta Boiss.
- Phlomis antiatlantica J.P.Peltier
- Phlomis armeniaca Willd.
- Phlomis aucheri Boiss.
- Phlomis aurea Decne.
- Phlomis × bornmuelleri Rech.f.
- Phlomis bourgaei Boiss.
- Phlomis bovei de Noé
- Phlomis brachyodon (Boiss.) Zohary ex Rech.f.
- Phlomis brevibracteata Turrill
- Phlomis brevidentata H.W.Li
- Phlomis brevilabris Ehrenb. ex Boiss.
- Phlomis bruguieri Desf.
- Phlomis brunneogaleata Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis bucharica Regel
- Phlomis cancellata Bunge
- Phlomis capitata Boiss.
- Phlomis carica Rech.f.
- Phlomis cashmeriana Royle ex Benth.
- Phlomis cashmirica Wells
- Phlomis chimerae Boissieu
- Phlomis chorassanica Bunge
- Phlomis chrysophylla Boiss.
- Phlomis × cilicica Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis × commixta Rech.f.
- Phlomis × composita Pau
- Phlomis cretica C.Presl
- Phlomis crinita Cav.
- Phlomis cyclodon Knorring
- Phlomis cypria Post
- Phlomis × cytherea Rech.f.
- Phlomis dincii Yıld.
- Phlomis drobovii Popov
- Phlomis × ekimii Dadand & H.Duman
- Phlomis elliptica Benth.
- Phlomis elongata Hand.-Mazz.
- Phlomis floccosa D.Don
- Phlomis fruticetorum Gontsch.
- Phlomis fruticosa L.
- Phlomis ghilanensis K.Koch
- Phlomis grandiflora H.S.Thomps.
- Phlomis herba-venti L.
- Phlomis hypoleuca Vved.
- Phlomis integrifolia Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis iranica Joharchi & Vaezi
- Phlomis isiliae Yıld.
- Phlomis italica L.
- Phlomis × kalanensis Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis kotschyana Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis kurdica Rech.f.
- Phlomis lanata Willd.
- Phlomis lanceolata Boiss. & Hohen.
- Phlomis leucophracta P.H.Davis & Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis linearifolia Zakirov
- Phlomis linearis Boiss. & Balansa
- Phlomis longifolia Boiss. & C.I.Blanche
- Phlomis lunariifolia Sm.
- Phlomis lurestanica Jamzad
- Phlomis lychnitis L.
- Phlomis lycia D.Don
- Phlomis majkopensis (Novopokr.) Grossh.
- Phlomis × margaritae Aparicio & Silvestre
- Phlomis mazandaranica Jamzad
- Phlomis × melitenensis Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis mindshelkensis Lazkov
- Phlomis × mobullensis Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis monocephala P.H.Davis
- Phlomis × muglensis Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis nana C.Y.Wu
- Phlomis nissolii L.
- Phlomis nubilans Zakirov
- Phlomis nyalamensis H.W.Li
- Phlomis olgae Regel
- Phlomis olivieri Benth.
- Phlomis oppositiflora Boiss. & Hausskn.
- Phlomis orientalis Mill.
- Phlomis × pabotii Rech.f.
- Phlomis pachyphylla Rech.f.
- Phlomis persica Boiss.
- Phlomis physocalyx Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis pichleri Vierh.
- Phlomis platystegia Post
- Phlomis polioxantha Rech.f.
- Phlomis × praetervisa Rech.f.
- Phlomis purpurea L.
- Phlomis × rechingeri Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis regelii Popov
- Phlomis rigida Labill.
- Phlomis russeliana (Sims) Lag. ex Benth.
- Phlomis salicifolia Regel
- Phlomis samia L.
- Phlomis × semiorbata Rech.f.
- Phlomis sewerzowii Regel
- Phlomis × sieberi Vierh.
- Phlomis sieheana Rech.f.
- Phlomis sintenisii Rech.f.
- Phlomis spinidens Nevski
- Phlomis × stapfiana Rech.f.
- Phlomis stewartii Hook.f.
- Phlomis syriaca Boiss.
- Phlomis tathamiorum R.M.Haber & Semaan
- Phlomis tenorei Soldano
- Phlomis tenuis Knorring
- Phlomis × termessi P.H.Davis
- Phlomis thapsoides Bunge
- Phlomis tomentosa Regel
- Phlomis trineura Rech.f.
- Phlomis × tunceliensis Hub.-Mor.
- Phlomis × vierhapperi Rech.f.
- Phlomis viscosa Poir.
- Phlomis × vuralii Dadandi
- Phlomis × wendelboi Jamzad
- Phlomis zenaidae Knorring
More Than Just Looks
But Phlomis offers more than just visual appeal. These plants are remarkably low-maintenance, tolerating drought, poor soil, and even a bit of neglect. They’re also deer-resistant, a major plus for those gardening in areas with hungry herbivores.
Beyond their hardiness, Phlomis plants play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their flowers are a magnet for pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The seed heads provide food for birds, and the dense foliage offers shelter for beneficial insects.
My Personal Connection
My own garden features several Phlomis species, each with its own unique charm. I love watching the bees buzz around the flowers, and the way the silvery leaves shimmer in the sunlight. These plants have a quiet strength that I find both inspiring and comforting.
In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, Phlomis offers a sense of stability and resilience. These plants remind me that beauty can be found even in the harshest conditions, and that life, like a garden, is a constant cycle of growth, change, and renewal.
Why You Should Consider Phlomis
If you’re looking for a plant that’s both beautiful and easy to care for, I highly recommend giving Phlomis a try. These versatile plants can be used in a variety of settings, from borders and rock gardens to containers and even as specimen plants.
With their striking foliage, vibrant flowers, and ability to thrive in challenging conditions, Phlomis plants are sure to bring a touch of the extraordinary to your garden.
