Russian Sage: Tough but Beautiful

In late summer the soft-blue flowers and silvery foliage of Russian Sage make a soothing break from the more strident and bright colors of other blooming flowers. For those who can't grow lavender, Russian Sage, or Perovskia, is a pleasant alternative. Hardy from Zones 5 to 9 and tolerant of drought, Russian Sage is undemanding and easy to grow.

Perovskia atriplicifolia is actually a native of Eurasia, not Russia, and was named after a Russian general who discovered it. There are seven known species, and with the variation seen in the foliage of cultivated varieties, it is likely that some of them are actually hybrids. In some varieties the leaves are finely divided and fernlike; in others the leaves are long, slender and undivided. Some plants have one type of leaf at the bottom and another near the top.

The stems of the gray-green leaves are covered with small white hairs, which give the plant its silvery cast. Russian Sage is a member of the mint family and, like many members of this family, the leaves and stems have a distinct odor when crushed. The odor of Russian Sage reminds one of true sage, or maybe a combination of lavender and sage, and is not unpleasant. Perovskia forms clumps that are about three feet wide and three to five feet tall. The growth habit is loose and tends to fall over, but newer varieties have a more compact growth habit.

In late summer Russian Sage puts out long silver stems covered with small blue flowers. Color ranges from pale lavender-blue to deep purple. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Russian Sage will flower for several months or until frost kills it. It seldom sets viable seed and rarely spreads by seed in the garden.

Growing Russian Sage
Russian Sage is a tough plant for all its delicate beauty. It prefers full sun and dry, gravelly soil, although it tolerates light shade and heavy soil. It will not do well in wet areas. Russian Sage can also tolerate salt spray from roads or from seaside conditions. It does not need fertilization in most areas. Russian Sage is also very deer- and rabbit-resistant and has few insect pests.

Gardeners generally start with plants, because germination of seed is slow and tricky. Russian Sage is fairly easy to propagate from tip cuttings. Water well until the plant is established. After that the plants handle dry conditions very well.

Russian Sage flowers on new wood. In early spring it should be cut back to about six inches from the ground. Some of the woody growth will survive the winter and put out buds, but the plants look better and bloom more profusely if pruned back in the spring. Bloom begins in late summer and generally continues until frost.

Choosing varieties
Filigren has very fine, fernlike silver foliage and large flower spikes of lavender blue. It is about five feet tall. Little Spire is a small Russian Sage, only about two feet high, with medium-blue flowers. Longin is a variety that is compact and less likely to flop, about three feet high with sturdy stems. Blue Spire has deeper violet-colored flowers and is about four feet tall.

Using Russian Sage
Although it is not the same scent as lavender, Russian Sage does have a pleasant aroma when dried and used in potpourri or when the flower stalks are dried for arrangements. The flowers are edible and can be sprinkled on salads or pastry. The dried flower spikes are sometimes burned for their scent like regular sage. Russian Sage does not have the same flavor as culinary sages.

In the garden the airy spikes of blue combine well with white shrub roses, pink phlox, pink Agastache or asters and other white or pastel colors. Goldenrod and Russian Sage make an interesting planting that will attract hundreds of butterflies. Persovkia's gray foliage is also a plus in the garden. The blue flower spikes are excellent filler in cut-flower bouquets. Small varieties of Russian Sage can be used in large container plantings to add height, foliage contrast and blue-flower color.