Phlomis russeliana, commonly known as Turkish Sage, is an evergreen perennial herb native to the scrubby and rocky sites in Turkey. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet and a width of 2-2 feet. The plant features textured, grey-green, sage-like leaves that are arrow-shaped and point downwards. During the summer and extending into fall, Turkish Sage produces distinctive tiered whorls of green buds in the leaf axils on each vertical stem, which open into globose clusters of dull yellow hooded flowers. The flowers are not particularly showy but have a unique architectural quality.

Turkish Sage is valued for its drought tolerance and the long-lasting nature of its flowers, which provide visual interest even after they have dried, throughout the winter months. It is commonly used in ornamental garden plantings, often in borders or as part of a Mediterranean or drought-tolerant garden design. This plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil in full sun, but once established, it can tolerate drier conditions. It is hardy in all temperate zones down to −20 °C (−4 °F) and has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot in overly wet conditions and may require protection from slugs and snails. Propagation is easily achieved through seeds in early spring or by division.CC BY-SA 4.0