Russian sage is easy to care for and fun to grow in any perennial flower bed or landscaping.
The airy foliage and vibrant flowers make it a beautiful and low-maintenance addition to any beginner’s garden.
But even the easiest plants need the right attention and environment to thrive.
This Russian sage care guide is designed to help you learn exactly what they need. You’ll find tips on water, sun, soil, temperature, and so much more all in one place.
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Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a wood flowering perennial from the Lamiaceae, or mint, family. Despite the common name, it’s actually native to central Asia.
It’s a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance herbaceous plant that’s characterized by the tall thin spires, or panicles, and vibrant blooms. It can reach heights of 2-5’ tall and spread between 2-3’ wide.
Each branch has feathery gray-green leaves and either blue or violet flowers. Both are very aromatic, especially when crushed, which makes them popular for potpourris.
It’s naturally pest and disease resistant, versatile in landscaping, and requires very little hands-on care.
There are many varieties of Russian sage, and each one features a slightly different growth habit and appearance.
Thankfully, no matter which you choose, they all require the same general care. Here are some of the more popular cultivars you could try.
Russian sage is known for its long-lasting blue or violet flowers that bloom between early summer and mid-fall.
They appear along the top third of each stem and often remain until temperatures begin to cool in the fall.
The blooms are very small, but abundant and fragrant. They repel most garden pests, but are attractive to pollinators and hummingbirds.
According to this ASPCA list of
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