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Growth Habit: Russian sage is a tall plant, 3-5 feet in height with a spread of 2-3 feet. Gray-green foliage is reminiscent of lavender, as is the color of the flowers borne on tall panicles that have an airy, textured feel. Plants create a woody base over time that should be cut back in early spring.
Is Russian sage lavender?
Flowers: Russian Sage always has lavender purple flowers. These flowers are tall and airy, creating a lavender-blue cloud of color. Bloom Time: Russian Sage is one month behind Salvia, blooming July through October.
What is Russian sage good for?
A perennial plant with purple flowers, Russian sage not only looks great in a garden, but it also has a variety of medicinal benefits. Steep sage leaves in hot water for 15-30 minutes to create a medicinal tea that can help relieve stomach pain and indigestion. Tea made from Russian sage can also help break a fever.
How do I identify Russian sage?
Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is an attractive plant with elongate, gray-green leaves and square, silvery-gray stems that produces an airy cloud of color late in the summer. The tiny, purple-blue, tubular flowers are arranged in whorls along long stems.
Is Russian sage a perennial or shrub?
It’s hardy in Zones 4-9. Drought tolerant and low maintenance, Russian sage is a no-fuss perennial that brings on the color all season long. ‘Denim ‘n Lace’ (Perovskia atriplicifolia) tames the tall and floppy growth of traditional Russian sage with a compact 28- to 32-inch height. It’s hardy in Zones 4-9.
Is Russian sage invasive?
Russian sageshould be very near the top of that list for all that it adds to the landscape – color, texture, pollinators and presence. Though it isn’t a native plant, it is not invasive and will stay where you plant it for many years – as long as you give it the well-drained conditions it needs.
Is Russian sage poisonous to dogs?
8. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a great fall plant. And thankfully, these pretty, purple plants are not considered toxic to pets.
Does Russian sage keep mosquitoes away?
Both Russian Sage and Lemon Verbena are known for cooking, but they have distinct smells that keep mosquitoes away. The Dusty Miller plant has nice foliage color that helps repel the mosquito, according to Gaskins.
What can I plant next to Russian sage?
Companion Plants: Because of the wispy nature of Russian Sage, it is fabulous planted with a flower that can pick up the violet-blue of its many flower panicles, and ‘grow through it, such as Coneflower (Echinacea spp.), globe thistle (Echinops ritro) or tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis).
Does Russian sage get you high?
Russian sage has a long history of use in traditional medicine, and is smoked as a euphoriant. In addition to its use in folk medicine, it is sometimes used in Russia to flavor a vodka-based cocktail.
What is the difference between lavender and Russian Sage?
The main difference between Russian sage and Lavender is the color of the flowers. Russian sage flowers are blue with a slight purple hue whereas Lavender flowers can be blue, purple, or even white. Russian sage also has larger inflorescences than Lavender.
Does Russian Sage smell like lavender?
Depending on the location of the plant, where the foliage is borne, and the variety, the leaf edges may have a serrated or wavy edge. All parts of the Russian sage plant are quite fragrant when rubbed or crushed. Some people describe it as a sage-like smell, sometimes mixed with lavender scents as well.
What does Russian Sage look like before it blooms?
Plant Description Foliage: Russian sage grows as a many stemmed clump. The foliage is finely cut gray-green leaves that are slightly scented. Flowers: Each stem ends with long, thin flower panicles. When fully in bloom it looks like a lavender-blue haze.
Does Russian sage come back every year?
Russian sage belongs to a class of shrubs called subshrubs. New growth comes each year from a woody base, and flowering is on the new growth. Remove the old growth, which usually dies back in winter, in early spring. Plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
Do hummingbirds like Russian sage?
Whether the calendar says summer or fall, flowers such as Russian sage, bee balm and sunflowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds until the first frost—and sometimes beyond. Enjoy the late-season color while attracting hummingbirds and butterflies galore!Jan 21, 2022.
Should you cut back Russian sage?
At the end of the flowering season in cold regions, when flowers have faded and a killing frost has occurred, clip Russian sage stems back to 18 inches. Or skip this pruning and leave stems intact through winter to add interest to winter garden scenery.
How do you stop Russian sage from spreading?
One situation that seems to prevent this problem from occurring is to plant it in a dry, xeric area with a drip emitter or two near the plant. Another way to keep it in bounds is to plant it inside of a “sleeve” that prevents underground runners (they’re called rhizomes) from spreading out.
How deep are Russian sage roots?
How deep are Russian sage roots? The root ball of a mature Russian sage plant averages about one foot deep.
How do I get rid of Russian sage?
Contact herbicides are one option. These are herbicides that kill only the part of the plant to which they are applied. Unlike translocated (systemic) herbicides, they will not move through the plant killing other parts of that plant. You can apply this to the unwanted sprouts.
Do goats eat Russian sage?
Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) is an invasive weed that grows mostly in the Western United States but originated in Europe and Asia. Russian knapweed is mostly avoided by goats, unless they are undernourished.
Does Russian sage multiply?
Remove the top half of the stems if the plant stops blooming in summer. This encourages new growth and a fresh flush of flowers. Propagate Russian sage plants by dividing the clumps or taking cuttings in spring. Dividing the clumps every four to six years reinvigorates the plants and helps to control their spread.
Is Russian sage pollinator friendly?
However, everything about Russian sage makes it a perfect plant for your pollinator garden. It is low-maintenance, drought tolerant, and is not eaten by deer or rabbits. At the same time, it is popular with all sorts of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hover flies.
