Russian Sage

~ By Diane ~

The Russian Sage is one of my favorite plants in the Garden. I have two separate areas, one at one end of my fence and another at the opposite end. The plant smells like Sage with its blue lacy delicate flowers and silver color leaves and is a very hardy plant. Although they say to cut it back in early spring I have always cut mine back in the fall and the next year it is always the most beautiful plant in the garden.

The plant is a valuable long-bloomer, starting in July and going to the end of September, and sometimes even into October. I've grown this perennial in richly amended clay garden soil, where it sulked. In my present garden, I have a half a dozen plants on a hot, sunny, dry hill in sandy soil and they seem to love it there, even in times of drought.

The plant isn't really a sage, and it's not Russian either. Perovskia is native from Afghanistan to Tibet and was named for a Russian general V.A. Perovsky; the botanical name is Perovskia atriplicifolia.

However, where it grows well, it makes a good late-season perennial garden filler plant that is attractive to butterflies. Good companions include brown-eyed Susan, purple Coneflowers, and Sedums, Ornamental grasses, Joe Pye weed and white Boltonia.


Care tips for Russian sage

Height and spread: 2 to 4 feet tall and about 3 feet wide.

Soil, moisture and light: Medium to dry soil; very drought-tolerant (like all plants, do water it until it becomes established). Grow in full sun to prevent flopping.

Care: Prune plants back in spring to no lower than 6 inches. This plant is rarely bothered by pests or diseases, and is deer-resistant.

Cultivars: 'Blue Mist' has lighter flowers and is earlier blooming than the species. 'Blue Spire' has violet flowers and deeply cut foliage. 'Filagran' has more filigreed leaves and light blue flowers, lending it a delicate appearance.

         

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