Phlomis russeliana or Turkish sage is a hairy perennial with large, ovate, rough-textured grey to mid-green leaves, with a woolly white coating beneath. Stout stems bear whorls of hooded soft yellow flowers 3cms in length from late spring to early autumn. 

In the northwestern USA where this elegant shrub originates, it’s known by the common name ‘ocean spray’ because of the masses of exquisite panicles of tiny white flowers. These are a magnet for bees.

Also known as Matilija or Californian tree poppy, this dramatic shrubby perennial provides a spectacular display in the AGM Border, above the top of the Thompson Road drive.

Thanks to Trish and Peter Kohn, we have the rare and very special plant, Berkheya ‘Helios’growing in the South African bed in Osborn’s Field (Area J on the downloadable map). The large, strong yellow flowers contrast strikingly with the spiny grey foliage.

E. candicans from Madeira (common name Pride of Madeira), a subshrub in the borage family, is flowering dramatically in the Mediterranean Climate Garden (Area L) for the first time.

Not exactly a plant of the month, the latest carpet bedding - in the Victorian Garden below the cafe and the beds in front of the Pavilions - has been beautifully executed and is well worth a visit.

According to Campbell-Culver in 'The Origin of Plants', when this herbaceous evergreen plant was first brought to Britain in the 1550s, it was known as Spanish Bayonet, reflecting events at that time in its native America (across what are now the southern states).