From a distance, it looks like a
silvery-blue grass. Up close, you might describe it as more of a
flower, but this interesting plant is actually defined as a woody
sub-shrub, meaning that it has a woody stem like a shrub but not
enough wood in the stem to qualify for shrub status. That's okay,
though, because super-hardy Russian sage is tough enough to thumb
its nose at conventional labels and forge its own way.
Winner of the 1995 Perennial of the
Year award by the Perennial Plant Association, Russian sage is tolerant
of alkaline soil, salt and drought and is cold hardy to about 30
degrees below zero. It is deer resistant but will attract bees and
is an aromatic member of the mint family, though its scent is of
sage.
Left to grow unchecked, the purple-flowered
racemes of Russian sage will reach an average of four feet tall
and spread to about three feet wide. They are wonderful toward the
back of a garden or can be planted in groups to achieve a very grassy,
country effect or to help prevent erosion on hillsides. Because
of their length and color, they also add a somewhat ethereal flair
to cut flower arrangements. Great colors to use with Russian sage
include white, yellow and pink. Yellow coreposis, annual baby's
breath or pink daylillies planted in front of Russian Sage will
create an airy, delicate look. For a varied texture combination,
tall sunflowers or bright pink cannas would make an interesting
backdrop as well.
To get started with Russian sage,
buy Perovskia hybrids such as 'Blue Mist,' 'Little Spire' or 'Blue
Spire' in four-inch pots. There is some confusion about the names
of the hybrid mixes, so you'll want to look for the scientific name
P. atriplicifolia on the label. Plant in full sun at least one foot
apart from other plants and no deeper into the soil than it was
in the pot. Mulch lightly around the stem (but not touching the
stem) with organic compost and water it in. You can water it throughout
the summer, but if you can't get to it for a while, it won't be
terribly offended. For the winter garden, allow the dormant, silvery
stems to remain in place then cut back to about six inches tall
in the early spring. One word of caution though: if you have sensitive
skin, you may want to wear gloves when handling Russian sage as
there have been a few reports of skin irritation.
Be sure to plant Russian sage in an
area of your yard where you can enjoy it for many years to come.
Once in place, it will grow into a tall, breezy, silvery-blue bush
that will complement most any landscape.
