Salvia hierosolymitana
Salvia hierosolymitana is a little-known Eastern Mediterranean endemic perennial sage that can be seen when traveling through Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank. In our trials, Salvia hierosolymitana has thrived since 2013, forming a basal rosette of large green leaves, topped with 2′ branched stalks, starting for us in mid-March. The stalks of whorled, bicolor pink, bilabiate (lobster claw-shaped) flowers possess a series of cleverly designed lever mechanisms, specially designed for complex pollination by large bees. The specific epithet “hierosolymitana” translates to holy/sacred Jerusalem, and some botanists believe the menorah was designed after the flowers of Salvia hierosolymitana. Additionally, some Middle Eastern cultures use the foliage for a grape leaf food wrap substitute. So, why aren’t you growing this? Good drainage and air movement are the keys to success.
