Russian sage is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant sub-shrub often grown as a perennial.
Extremely tolerant of dry conditions, it is a great choice forxeriscaping.
Russian sage is found in Asia in the mountains of Tibet and Afghanistan.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
You may see both Latin names listed in nursery catalogs for several years.
This bush produces panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers throughout the summer and into fall.
If you plant later, water frequently to keep the plants from drying out.
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Russian Sage Care
Russian sage is a tough plant that needs little care.
The primary care is pruning, though even this is optional.
Pull up suckers in the early spring.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Divide the plants every four to six years to refresh them.
Shady conditions tend to make the plant leggy and prone to collapse.
Water
New transplants need regular watering, but once established, Russian sage is very drought-tolerant.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Russian sage will not grow well in excessively wet, poorly-draining soil.
Fertilizer
This plant is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils.
At most, you might provide a light layer of compost in the spring.
It responds poorly if given too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen.
Academic resources now list Russian sage asSalvia yangiialthough the old botanical name persists, especially in the nursery trade.
When the pure species is sold, it is usuallyPerovskia atriplicifoliathat is offered.
The named cultivars usually are sold simply asPerovskia, and they may be either cultivars ofP.
atriplicifoliaor cultivars of a hybrid cross betweenP.
The argument for pruning is that the plant will grow to be bushier the next season.
And in cold-winter zones where the plant dies back each year, hard pruning is mandatory.
With this approach, the hard pruning is done in early spring.
These self-layered volunteers can be severed from the mother plant, dug up, and transplanted into new locations.
Sow the seeds in pots filled with a porous growing medium, just barely covering them.
Set in a protected location that receives plenty of light and keep the growing medium lightly moist.
Germination will take one to four months at a temperature of 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into larger pots for continued growth.
Avoid very rich potting mixes, as these are not ideal for this plant.
A potted Russian sage offers a good way to enjoy this long-blooming plant in sunny paved courtyards or patios.
One option is to bury the entire pot up to its rim for the winter.
Or, you might move the plant to a cold frame or unheated porch or garage until spring.
Repotting should be done whenever the plant is ready for division.
Potted plants will require this every couple of years.
Plants are especially susceptible to wet winter soil.
Young plants may take a full year or two before they are fully established and begin to bloom robustly.
Don’t worry about a lack of flowers until the plant is fully two years old.
Common Problems With Russian Sage
The most common complaint with Russian sage is sprawling, floppy stems.
This plant is different from the sage typically used as a culinary seasoning (Salvia officinalis).
Unlike many species in the mint family, Russian sage is not considered seriously invasive.
With regular division, however, it’s possible for you to keep plants growing indefinitely.
Russian Sage.Texas Master Gardener
Perovskiaatriplicifolia.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Russian SagePerovskia atriplicifolia.Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension.
Bird, Richard.The Propagation of Hardy Perennials.
Batsford Publishing, 1994.
