Russian Sage (Perovskia)
Perennial
- Lavender-blue blooms last for over ten weeks!
- Leaves are fragrant when crushed.
- Thrives in hot, dry sites where other perennials can't grow.
- Attracts pollinators like butterflies, bees, & more!
- Zones 4-9, sun, 4' tall x 4' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Russian sage
Zone: 4 - 9
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 3 - 4' tall x wide
Flower color: Lavender blue
Foliage color: Silver-green or blue-green
Season of interest: Midsummer to fall
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Suitable for slopes, heat tolerant, fragrant, drought tolerant, deer resistant, best for beginners
Uses: Background, border, cottage gardening, foundation planting, massing, naturalizing, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Sun (> 6 hours sun). Best flowering occurs in full sun locations. Stems are more likely to flop if plants are grown in part shade.
Water: Dry to medium. Water regularly until established.
Spacing: 2 - 3 ft.
Fertilizing: Generally unnecessary but can be applied in spring if needed.
Winterizing: No special care is needed. Foliage can remain standing in the winter.
Maintenance & pruning: Cut back plants almost to the ground in late winter to early spring as soon as new growth appears. Plants have deep taproots and don't like to move once established.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
