It originates in Turkey and Syria, flowers in the wild in May-June and about the same time in Devon. The cultivated form is available from good nurseries. The leaves have a very rich dark green colour with an attractive puckered (rugose) upper surface and the flower colour is an egg yoke yellow. Hardy to -15°C. A beautiful shrub!

Beth Smith's National Collection of Phlomis is grown in her garden at Mortehoe on the North Devon coast and is open by appointment Tel. and on 3 Sundays for National Garden Scheme.