the Sage-tree, or Jerusalem Sage; a genus of the gymnospermia order, belonging to the didynamia class of plants. There are 14 species, all of which have perennial roots, and of many the stalks also are perennial. The latter rise from two to five or six feet high; and are adorned with yellow, blue, or purple flowers in whorls. They are all ornamental plants; and deserve a place in gardens, as they are sufficiently hardy to endure the ordinary winters in this climate: they require, however, a pretty warm situation.

There are two species of this plant, which are peculiarly adapted to the shrubbery, viz. the Phlomis fruticosa, a native of Spain and Sicily, and the Phlomis purpurea. Of the first species there are three varieties, 1. The broad-leaved Jerusalem Sage-tree, is now very common in our gardens. Its beauty is great, and its culture very easy. It grows to be about five feet high, and spreads its branches without order all around. The older branches are covered with a dirty, greenish, dead, falling, ill-looking bark; and this is the worst property of this shrub; but the younger shoots are white and beautiful; they are four-cornered, woolly, and soft to the touch. The leaves are roundish and oblong, and moderately large; and these grow opposite at the joints of the shrub on long footstalks. They are hoary to a degree of whiteness, and their footstalks also are woolly, white, tough, and strong. The flowers are produced in June, July, and August, at the top joints of the young shoots, in large whorled bunches. They are of the labiate kind, each consisting of two lips, the upper end of which is forked, and bends over the other. A finer yellow can hardly be conceived than the colour of which they are possessed; and being large, they exhibit their golden flowers at a great distance, causing thereby a handsome show. 2. The narrow-leaved Jerusalem Sage tree, is of lower growth than the other, seldom rising higher than a yard or four feet. This shrub is in every respect like the other; only the shoots seem to have a more upright tendency of growth. The leaves also, which are narrower, are more inclined to a lanceolate form: They are numerous in both the sorts, and hide the deformity of the bark on the older stems, which renders them less exceptionable on that account. In short, these sorts are qualified for shrubberies of all kinds, or to be set in borders of flower-gardens, where they will flower, and be exceeded even in that respect by very few shrubs. 3. Cretan Sage-tree, is still of lower growth than either of the former, seldom rising to a yard in height. The leaves are of the same white hoary nature; they are very broad, and stand on long footstalks. The flowers are also of a delightful yellow colour, very large, and grow in large whorls, which give the plant great beauty.

The second species, which is Purple Phlomis or Portugal Sage, is four feet high; the stalks are woody, and send forth several angular branches, which are covered with a white bark. The leaves are spear-shaped, ped, oblong, woolly underneath, crenated, and grow on short footstalks. The flowers are produced in whorls from the joints of the branches. They are of a deep purple colour, and have narrow involucra. They appear in June and July, but are not succeeded by ripe seeds in England. There is a variety of this species with iron-coloured flowers, and another with flowers of a bright purple.

There are some other shrubby sorts of phlomis, of great beauty; but they not only often lose their leaves, and even branches, from the first frosts, but are frequently wholly destroyed, if it happens to be severe. They are low shrubs, very beautiful, and look well among perennial flowers, where they will not only clasps as to size with many of that sort, but, being rather tender, may with them have such extraordinary care as the owner may think proper to allow them.

The propagation of the above sorts is, as we have already hinted, very easy, and is accomplished either by layers or cuttings. 1. If a little earth be thrown upon the branches any time in the winter, they will strike root and be good plants by the autumn following, fit for any place. Thus easy is the culture by that method. 2. The cuttings will also grow, if planted any time of the year. Those planted in winter should be the woody shoots of the former summer: These may be set close in a shady border; and being watered in dry weather, will often grow. This shrub may be propagated by young slips also, in any of the summer months. These should be planted in a shady border, like sage, and well watered. If the border is not naturally shady, the beds must be hooped, and covered with matting in hot weather. Watering must be constantly afforded them; and with this care and management many of them will grow.