PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
' Denim ' n ' Lace ' Russian sage ( Perovskia atriplicifolia ) . Photo by : Proven Winners
If you ’re a slothful gardener like I am , you ’re always on the lookout for plants that you may mystify in the ground , ignore , and they will still face attractive for calendar month on final stage . Russian sageis at the top of the leaning of those fuss - spare garden perennial that you simply buy , plant life , and enjoy . Just give them full sun and well - drained soil , then sit back and delight in their tranquil beauty .
This resilient plant has become a mainstay in the summertime garden , both for its good tone and undemanding nature . Although it can be a slow fledgling in spring , it does make a statement with its silvern gray - fleeceable foliage and then really dazzles in midsummer when the stems are covered in lavender - blue flowers that often linger until surrender .
If that ’s not enough to convince you that you need a Russian salvia plant in your garden , it ’s also cervid repellent , drought resistant , and attracts bees , butterflies , and hummingbird .
On this page : Basics|How To Plant|Care|Pictures|Design Tips|FAQs
BASICS
Botanical name:
Perovskia atriplicifolia
Zones:
4 - 9
Height/Spread:
2 to 4 feet tall & wide , depending on motley ; newer cultivars grow in the 2 - 1/2 - human foot range
Exposure:
Full Sunday
Bloom Time:
former summer to return
Color and characteristics:
Lavender - blue to reddish blue , two - lipped , tubular flowers bloom along 12- to l5 - inch - long panicle . Although the individual flower are tiny , they are abundant and closely space , intensify their overall impact . The brightly colored calyxes stay , build the plant life appear to be in bloom well after it has finish blossom .
Toxicity:
The leaves are toxic if ingested .
HOW TO PLANT
When to plant:
Container - grow plants are best planted in late spring once the grime warms up , which will promote fast maturation . you’re able to also implant them later in the summer as long as you get them in the ground six hebdomad before a strong frost . If you are growing a Russian sage plant life from seed , start indoors in early spring and transfer the seedling outside after the risk of freeze has passed .
Where to plant:
A gay spot in well - drained soil is all this plant life asks for , making it ideal for live , wry climates . It also tolerates alkaline conditions and is a good choice for seaside garden . obviate planting in ghost or too fat soil , which can make it floppy and conquer blooming .
What to plant:
Container - grow and bare - radical industrial plant are widely available at nursery and garden gist because they are well-situated to embed and will bloom the first time of year . Although some varieties can be grown from seed , they are voiceless to recover and can take a long time to develop . Unless you have a circle of forbearance , look for cultivars that will flower the first year when grown from seminal fluid , such as ‘ Blue Steel ’ .
Spacing:
Newly embed specimen take a year or two to become established but form substantial clumps over fourth dimension , so space plants at least 2 base aside .
RUSSIAN SAGE CARE
Water:
Water on a regular basis during the first growing season to institute a inscrutable root system of rules . After plant become give , they brook drouth without ailment and rarely want auxiliary watering . The plant ’s vigorous radical system help it withstand scorching - red-hot summers and ironical spells .
Pruning:
Cut the woody industrial plant stems down to about 6 inches in early spring to make way for unexampled growing . you could also do a light pruning in other summer if you want to slim down the height and make plants look wide-cut . For wintertime interest group , leave the seedheads and silvery stems in shoes until spring .
Fertilizer:
Do n’t put out . Russian sage will execute just fine without it . At most , apply a light-colored bed ofcompostin the give .
Staking:
Although the foliation of improbable variety can be a turn lanky , stake can be avoided by locating your plants where the foliage can flop gracefully or near other perennial that provide support . Newer cultivar , like ' Denim ' n ' Lace ' , are more compendious and do n’t require staking .
Dividing:
Unlike other lot menage plants , the roots of Russian sage do not spread rampantly , so part is rarely required . It can also be difficult because of the plant ’s woody base .
Winter care:
Rarely daunted by harsh wintertime ; but in cold zones , cover plant with a layer of mulch for extra protection .
Diseases and pests:
This naturally redolent plant repels insect , and diseases are practically unheard of . The biggest problem is root rot , which can be make by poor drain and prolong pic to tight soil .
RUSSIAN SAGE PICTURES
Photo by : Proven winner
' Denim ' n ' Lace ' Russian sage — corrupt now from Proven WinnersPerovskia atriplicifoliaHeight:28 to 32 inchesSpread:34 to 38 inchesBloom clip : Mid - summer to mid - accrue
name asProven Winners ’ 2020 National Perennial of the Year , this new compact cultivar features lacy sky - blueish prime have by colorful amethyst calyxes that continue after the blooms have pass , extending the time of year of interest . Exceptionally strong shank keep it erect without flop .
Photo by : Mona Larochelle / Millette Photomedia
' Lacey Blue’P. atriplicifoliaHeight / Spread:18 to 24 inch tall & wideBloom Time : Early summer to come
Barely reaching knee joint height , this dwarf Russian Sage is ideal for small garden or displaying at the front of the borderline . Despite its shorter height , it bluster exceptionally large lavender - sorry flowers that go on for months , lasting well into free fall .
exposure by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
' Blue Spire’P. atriplicifoliaHeight / Spread:3 to 4 foundation tall & wideBloom Time : June to September
One of the magniloquent Russian salvia , growing to about 4 feet . The flower spike alone are nearly a foot long and smothered with bunch of violet - blue blossoms from midsummer into fall .
Photo courtesy Ball Hort
' Blue Steel’P. atriplicifoliaHeight:18 to 36 inchesSpread:14 to 28 inchesBloom Time : Mid - summer to former fall
This new variety will bloom the first year from seed if sown in former bound . give the right atmospheric condition , the tight - develop seeds will germinate in just a few twenty-four hours . course a dumbly branched , shaggy plant that bears an copiousness of small blue flush on warm , silvery stems .
Photo by : Paul S Drobot / Millette Photomedia
' Crazy Blue’P. atriplicifoliaHeight:16 to 18 inchesSpread:14 to 16 inchesBloom Time : June to September
With a cracking , rounded form , this sturdy cultivar has interlacing branch that remain upright and wo n’t splay open in wind or rain , even when laden with masses of violet - blue flowers . The compact riding habit and full , bushy soma make it idealistic for use as a low - grow hedge or container flora .
DESIGN TIPS
Photo by : d murk photograph / Shutterstock .
Garden uses:
Companion plants:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Russian sage edible?
Although the leaves may smell like those of culinary garden sage ( Salvia officinalis ) , Russian sage is technically not a sage . The aromatic leave of absence emit a light herbal aroma when crush , and as mention above , are toxic if consume . However , they can be dry out and used in mixed bag .
Is it Russian?
Not really . Despite the unwashed name , it is aboriginal to western China , Afghanistan , and Tibet . The Russian connection is to the genus name Perovskia , which honors l9th - one C Russian general V.A. Perovsky .
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