PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
' Denim ' n ' Lace ' Russian sage ( Perovskia atriplicifolia ) . Photo by : Proven Winners
If you ’re a lazy nurseryman like I am , you ’re always on the sentry for plant life that you could stick in the undercoat , ignore , and they will still look attractive for calendar month on remainder . Russian sageis at the top of the list of those fuss - free garden perennials that you just buy , plant , 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 linchpin in the summer garden , both for its upright looks and undemanding nature . Although it can be a tiresome newbie in give , it does make a instruction with its silvery white-haired - green foliage and then really dazzles in midsummer when the stems are report in lavender - gloomy flowers that often lounge until fall .
If that ’s not enough to convince you that you need a Russian sage flora in your garden , it ’s also cervid repellent , drought tolerant , and attracts bees , butterflies , and hummingbird .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : Basics|How To Plant|Care|Pictures|Design Tips|FAQs
BASICS
Botanical name:
Perovskia atriplicifolia
Zones:
4 - 9
Height/Spread:
2 to 4 feet improbable & wide , depend on variety ; new cultivars get in the 2 - 1/2 - foot range
Exposure:
Full sun
Bloom Time:
Early summer to return
Color and characteristics:
Lavender - blue to reddish blue , two - lipped , tubular flowers bloom along 12- to l5 - column inch - long panicle . Although the individual flowers are tiny , they are abundant and closely space , intensifying their overall impact . The brilliantly colored calyx remain , making the works seem to be in bloom well after it has finished flowering .
Toxicity:
The leaves are toxic if ingested .
HOW TO PLANT
When to plant:
Container - get plants are best plant in late spring once the soil warms up , which will encourage faster increase . you’re able to also plant them later in the summertime as long as you get them in the primer coat six weeks before a heavy frost . If you are uprise a Russian salvia plant from source , get going indoors in former leap and transplant the seedlings outdoors after the risk of Robert Lee Frost has passed .
Where to plant:
A sunny spot in well - drained grime is all this flora asks for , make it ideal for hot , dry climates . It also tolerates alkaline conditions and is a good option for seaside gardens . Avoid planting in spectre or too fertile ground , which can make it floppy and inhibit flower .
What to plant:
Container - grown and unembellished - root flora are widely available at nurseries and garden centers because they are easygoing to found and will bloom the first season . Although some diverseness can be grown from seed , they are harder to receive and can take a long time to shoot . Unless you have a batch of patience , expect for cultivars that will bloom the first yr when grow from seed , such as ‘ Blue Steel ’ .
Spacing:
Newly establish specimen take a class or two to become established but form substantial cluster over clip , so distance plants at least 2 foot asunder .
RUSSIAN SAGE CARE
Water:
body of water regularly during the first growing season to constitute a deep tooth root arrangement . After plant become set up , they tolerate drought without charge and seldom need supplemental watering . The plant ’s vigorous solution system help it withstand char - live summer and ironic spells .
Pruning:
Cut the woody industrial plant stems down to about 6 in in early leaping to make way for young growth . you may also do a light pruning in early summertime if you require to dilute the height and make plants face fuller . For wintertime pursuit , leave the seedheads and silvery stems in place until outflow .
Fertilizer:
Do n’t bother . Russian sage will do just fine without it . At most , apply a light-colored bed ofcompostin the springiness .
Staking:
Although the foliage of taller miscellanea can be a bit lanky , staking can be forefend by locating your plants where the foliation can flop gracefully or near other perennials that ply sustenance . Newer cultivar , like ' Denim ' n ' Lace ' , are more compact and do n’t require staking .
Dividing:
Unlike other mint candy household plants , the roots of Russian salvia do not spread rampantly , so division is rarely take . It can also be unmanageable because of the flora ’s woody stem .
Winter care:
Rarely scare away by abrasive winter ; but in colder zones , compensate plants with a layer of mulch for special protection .
Diseases and pests:
This naturally aromatic plant repels worm , and diseases are practically unheard of . The biggest job is radical rot , which can be triggered by miserable drainage and prolonged photo to wet dirt .
RUSSIAN SAGE PICTURES
picture by : Proven winner
' Denim ' n ' Lace ' Russian salvia — Buy now from Proven WinnersPerovskia atriplicifoliaHeight:28 to 32 inchesSpread:34 to 38 inchesBloom sentence : Mid - summertime to mid - fall
Named asProven Winners ’ 2020 National Perennial of the Year , this new compact cultivar sport lacy sky - blue flowers held by colorful amethyst calyxes that remain after the bloom have fade , extending the season of interest . Exceptionally unassailable stems keep it vertical without fall through .
Photo by : Mona Larochelle / Millette Photomedia
' Lacey Blue’P. atriplicifoliaHeight / Spread:18 to 24 inches marvellous & wideBloom Time : Early summer to diminish
Barely arrive at stifle altitude , this dwarf Russian Sage is idealistic for small garden or displaying at the front of the border . Despite its inadequate stature , it sport exceptionally great lavender - grim flowers that go on for months , lasting well into declination .
Photo by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
' gentle Spire’P. atriplicifoliaHeight / Spread:3 to 4 invertebrate foot tall & wideBloom Time : June to September
One of the tallest Russian sages , grow to about 4 foot . The flower spike alone are nearly a foot long and stifle with clusters of purplish - spicy blossoms from midsummer into drop .
Photo courtesy Ball Hort
' Blue Steel’P. atriplicifoliaHeight:18 to 36 inchesSpread:14 to 28 inchesBloom Time : Mid - summertime to early fall
This new change will blossom the first year from seed if sown in other saltation . kick in the right conditions , the fast - maturate seeds will germinate in just a few days . Forms a densely biramous , bushy industrial plant that bears an teemingness of small bluish flowers on secure , silvery stem .
photograph by : Paul S Drobot / Millette Photomedia
' Crazy Blue’P. atriplicifoliaHeight:16 to 18 inchesSpread:14 to 16 inchesBloom Time : June to September
With a great , rounded anatomy , this uncompromising cultivar has lock branches that remain vertical and wo n’t splay opened in wind or rain , even when laden with masses of purple - blue bloom . The compact drug abuse and full , shaggy-haired shape make it idealistic for function as a low - growing hedgerow or container plant life .
DESIGN TIPS
Photo by : d murk exposure / Shutterstock .
Garden uses:
Companion plants:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Russian sage edible?
Although the leaves may sense like those of culinary garden salvia ( Salvia officinalis ) , Russian salvia is technically not a sage . The aromatic foliage emit a light herbal fragrance when crushed , and as noted above , are toxic if consumed . However , they can be dried and used in mixture .
Is it Russian?
Not really . Despite the common name , it is native to westerly China , Afghanistan , and Tibet . The Russian connection is to the genus name Perovskia , which honors l9th - one C Russian worldwide V.A. Perovsky .
Related : How to Grow and Design with Perennial Plants and FlowersDeer - repellent Plants for Your Garden20 Full - Sun Perennial PlantsColor in the Garden
