The Syrian ragweed (Phlomis russeliana), also known as the golden whorl because of the characteristic shape of its whorled flowers, is quite insensitive to drought and is therefore ideal for steppe and gravel gardens. The perennial is also otherwise robust, easy to care for, durable and adapts easily to many garden locations.

The Syrian ragweed is easy to care for and hardy

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. Blossoms, flowering period and fruits
  5. toxicity
  6. location and soil
  7. Plant ragweed correctly
  8. Water burnt weed
  9. Fertilize ragweed properly
  10. Cut ragweed properly
  11. propagate burnt weed
  12. hibernate
  13. diseases and pests
  14. species and varieties

    15. origin and distribution

    The Syrian ragweed (bot. Phlomis russeliana), popular in many gardens, also known as gold whorl or after its discoverer, the Scottish naturalist Dr. Alexander Russell, called Russell's sagebrush, is one of at least 100 different species of sagebrush. The species-rich genus, which belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), includes both perennials and subshrubs. The homeland of most species extends from south-eastern Europe across the entire Central Asian continent to China. The Syrian ragweed originally comes from the mountainous forest regions of northern Anatolia.

    Here it is found wild in both coniferous and deciduous forests as well as on bare areas, preferably in combination with hazelnut bushes. The sun-loving perennial grows particularly well on woody edges, in open spaces and prefers dry or rocky substrates.

    use

    Burntweed can be adapted into many garden environments and cuts a good figure on woody edges, on banks, in rock gardens as well as in prairie beds. A dry substrate and competition from roots do not bother the robust plant, which is why it can be used in a variety of ways. Due to its striking growth and the growth height between 90 and 150 centimeters - depending on the type and variety selected - it is best to plant the strong perennials in the middle of the bed, where they are excellent with perennials such as the mullein (bot. Verbascum), the blue rue (Perovskia) , cranesbill (Geranium), steppe sage (Salvia nemorosa), Germander (Teucrium), lavender (Lavandula) or various ornamental grasses. The bright golden yellow flowering Syrian ragweed harmonises particularly well with blue or violet flowering species.

    appearance and growth

    The clumpy perennial is very vigorous and conquers larger garden areas within a short time, which is why it is well suited as ground cover or gap filler, for example on slopes. Numerous runners grow from the underground rhizomes, which should be kept in check with root barriers or the like. The plant has dense foliage, especially in the lower part up to a height of about 30 centimetres, with the felt-like hairy, heart-shaped foliage remaining attached to the stem during the winter and drying up by spring. The perennial sprout from the rhizome every year and can be overwintered without any problems.

    Blossoms, flowering period and fruits

    The strong golden yellow flowers of the Syrian ragweed open between June and July, with the typical lamiated flowers standing together on several tiers in decorative whorls and sometimes even branching out. The flower stalks can reach a height of up to 90 centimeters. Like all smut herbs, the Syrian smut herb is a popular pasture for bees.

    The triangular nut fruits that develop after flowering are ovoid, slightly hairy on the surface and contain numerous seeds. In order to prevent uncontrolled seeding of the plants, you should remove faded stalks - the Syrian ragweed not only reproduces via root suckers, but also very successfully by self-seeding.

    toxicity

    Syrian ragweed is not poisonous to humans or animals.

    location and soil

    It is best to plant the Syrian ragweed in full sun, as this is where it blooms most beautifully. However, the perennial also feels at home in a light semi-shady place, provided the soil is well drained, rather dry and rich in nutrients. A loose substrate is also the best guarantee that the extensively growing root system will find enough space.

    Plant ragweed correctly

    In principle, phlomis can be planted during the entire vegetation period, provided the weather permits and there is a (more) threat of frost. However, we recommend planting in the spring, if possible from the middle to the end of May, because the plants often need some time before they finally grow. For this reason, flowering can often only be expected after one to two years, but the long-lived perennial shows its lush splendor all the more happily in the coming decades. You should expect about four to six plants per square meter, which are planted about 50 centimeters apart. Enrich the soil with mature compost and water the perennials well after planting.

    The species-typical proliferation can be limited with the help of root barriers. But a natural limitation by competitive plant species such as ornamental grasses or cranesbill also serves this purpose.

    Water burnt weed

    Additional watering is only necessary during the hot summer months, otherwise the pretty, felty leaves quickly become unsightly. Always water from below, never from above and, above all, not too much - the Syrian ragweed, which is used to drought, is quite frugal and cannot cope with soil that is too moist and, above all, waterlogged. Occasional dry periods are therefore easily survived.

    Fertilize ragweed properly

    When it comes to fertilizing, the frugal flowering miracle doesn’t do much work for you either: Provide it with some ripe compost in the spring after cutting, then it will have enough nutrients for its lush growth.

    Cut ragweed properly

    Since the grey-green leaves remain on the stems well into autumn and often even into the winter months and thus form a decorative element in the autumn garden, you do not have to cut back the plants until spring. Cut off the above-ground, now dried-up parts of the plant just above the ground and then apply mature compost. As a rule, the perennial then drives out again very quickly.

    propagate burnt weed

    You do not need to worry about the propagation of ragweed: the very vigorous perennial does this so reliably itself that you should rather take limiting measures instead. If a carpet-like spread is desired in the garden, simply let the inflorescences, which have been pollinated by bees, mature. The sage will then self-seed. Alternatively, simply collect the nuts and sow fine seeds directly at the desired new location. Pulling it out on the windowsill or something similar is not necessary.

    Share smut herb

    The Syrian ragweed can also be propagated very well by division, although you should carry out this measure for the first time after about ten to 15 years. Freshly planted smut herbs need two to three years to establish themselves in the new location, which is why you should not transplant them again so quickly once planted. Only when the perennial feels comfortable in the new location and therefore spreads too quickly can you simply separate particularly cheeky root suckers from the mother plant with a spade and plant them again in a new location. When dividing older plants, it is best to proceed as follows:

    • Carefully expose the root ball.
    • Using a sharp spade, carefully prick off one or more pieces.
    • Be careful not to crush the roots!
    • Dig up the root parts and replant them separately in a new location.

    hibernate

    Since the Syrian ragweed can be overwintered in the garden without any problems, special measures for winter protection are not necessary. However, you should leave the parts of the plant above ground during the cold season and only cut them back in spring, as this serves as winter protection. In very wet winters, you should also protect the rhizomes from moisture, otherwise mold can spread. This can be done, for example, by spreading fir or spruce brushwood on the ground - the brushwood keeps the ground dry, but should be removed in spring in good time before sprouting.

    diseases and pests

    Burnt herbs are also pleasantly uncomplicated with regard to diseases and pests. The only problem is excessive moisture, which promotes the colonization of fungi. This is why downy mildew often spreads in humid summers, which you can easily recognize by the yellowish to brownish spots on the upper sides of the leaves and a grey-white fungal growth on the undersides. Cut away infested foliage and spray the diseased plants with a home-made horsetail broth. The leaves should then be able to dry off quickly, and the location must also be kept dry.

    Typical garden pests, such as the otherwise voracious snails, usually leave the ragweed alone.

    tips

    The strong flower stalks of the ragweed can be cut perfectly as cut flowers for the vase. They are also easy to dry and are therefore often used for drying bouquets.

    species and varieties

    In addition to the Syrian ragweed, the following three species can be found in many gardens. All species flower between June and July, and their distinctive whorls of flowers can be yellow, pink or red. The individual species are very similar in terms of their needs for location, soil and care.

    Sage phlomis (Phlomis tuberosa)

    The pink-flowering bulbous sagebrush needs a warm, full sun and gets along very well with other sun-loving perennials such as purple sage (Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens') or lavender (Lavandula). As the name suggests, sagebrush spreads by underground root systems. However, it grows rather slowly and clumpy. For example, the varieties 'Bronze Flamingo' or 'Amazone' are recommended.

    Samos sage (Phlomis samia)

    The Samos smut herb, also known as Greek smut herb, has pretty brownish to pink-purple flowers and forms dense leaf rosettes, which is why this species is often used as a ground cover. Like the Syrian ragweed, the species grows to a height of about 90 centimetres.

    Shrubby sagebrush (Phlomis fruticosa)

    This species, which originates from the Mediterranean region and has bright yellow flowers, grows as a shrub and reaches heights of up to 100 centimeters here. Since the evergreen species is not frost hardy, it often freezes back severely in cold winters. However, it reliably drives out of the rootstock again in spring, so that overwintering is usually unproblematic. Phlomis fructicosa is suitable for the design of Mediterranean or steppe gardens.

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Indoor plants