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Products > Phlomis purpurea 'Semper Purple'
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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: Spain (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Lavender |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Height: 4-6 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Phlomis purpurea 'Semper Purple' (Purple Phlomis) – An upright shrub that grows to 4 feet tall by as wide with upright stems bearing woolly, medium gray-green triangular shaped leaves and lavender-purple flowers with white lower lip that are held in whorls that rise just above the foliage throughout the year with a peak bloom in late spring. Plant in a sunny location in soils of low to moderate fertility that drain well. Will also grow in light shade. This tough plant require very little summer watering once established in coastal conditions but does best with occasional irrigation inland. We have never had any frost damage on our original form of this plant, which we have been told it is hardy to at least 15° F. A great plant for adding gray foliage and pinkish purple flowers to the garden, especially in areas with deer as this plant is avoided by them. Cut back after each flowering period for best appearance. This plant is native to Spain, Portugal and Morocco where it grows on hillsides and in rocky places. The name for the genus dates back to the first century AD from the Greek physician Dioscorides use of the word to describe some plants in the genus and it thought to originate from the Greek word meaning "flame" because the leaves of some species were used for lamp wicks. The specific epithet refers to the typical flower color. While we also grow our original more sprawling form of Phlomis purpurea that has narrower leaves and slightly darker flowers and list it simply as Phlomis purpurea, this form we received from John Low at Sempervirens Botanical in 2015 has a more upright form, larger leaves and a splash of white in the flower and it grows a bit more vigorous with more a uniform and upright form.
This information about Phlomis purpurea 'Semper Purple' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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