It is often confused with the closely related P. samia,[2] and wrongly marketed as Phlomis viscosa.

[3] Growing to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall, it is a herbaceous perennial with hairy, erect stems.

In summer, whorls of green buds develop in the leaf axils at regular intervals up each vertical stem, giving a distinctive tiered effect.

[4] Phlomis russeliana is cultivated as an ornamental garden flower, in moist soil in full sun.

The flowers are long-lasting, the dried flower-heads providing architectural interest throughout the winter months, as well as multiple seeds for propagation in the early spring.