Phlomis ‘Amazone’

An unusual architectural perennial with striking tiers of rich purple flowers.

Phlomis ‘Amazon’ is a distinctive perennial producing deep mauve-purple flowers arranged in whorls around tall, upright stems. The flowers create wonderful structure through the border and are particularly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects. Fresh green foliage forms a substantial leafy clump beneath, providing a strong backdrop for the unusual flowers.

Best grown in full sun or light partial shade, ‘Amazon’ prefers fertile, reasonably well-drained soil. It forms a strong upright clump, making it ideal for the middle or back of a perennial border. The spent flower stems can also be left standing after flowering, providing attractive architectural seedheads into autumn and winter.

• Height: Approx. 90–120cm

• Spread: Approx. 50–60cm

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil

• Flowering: June to August

• Flower colour: Mauve-purple

• Foliage: Fresh green

• Habit: Upright and clump-forming

• Hardiness: Hardy

• Wildlife: Excellent for bees and other pollinators

• Uses: Mixed borders, naturalistic planting and pollinator gardens

• Winter interest: Attractive tiered seedheads

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting

A lovely choice for sunny Isle of Wight borders, particularly where you want height without a plant feeling too dense or heavy. Once established it will tolerate periods of summer dryness, although it prefers a little more moisture than the classic Mediterranean Phlomis species.

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range

• Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ – airy white flowers soften the strong upright stems and really highlight the purple flowers.

• Achillea ‘The Pearl’ – crisp white flowerheads provide a fresh contrast at a slightly lower level.

• Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ – upright grasses echo the vertical structure while adding movement.

• Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ – warm copper-red flowers make a beautiful late-summer contrast to the purple.

• Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ – creates a lower haze of blue-purple flowers around the base.

• Verbena bonariensis – repeats the purple higher through the planting while keeping the overall effect light and natural.

🌟 The Green Standard Tip

Leave the distinctive flower stems standing after flowering. Their tiered seedheads provide excellent structure through autumn and winter, especially when combined with ornamental grasses. Cut them back in early spring when fresh growth begins.