Russian Sage Perovskia




Description: 
Plant Patent 11643. A more compact version of the common Russian Sage, this hardy perennial does not flop over and will thrive in dry soils, including clay. Finely dissected, aromatic, grayish green leaves are held on stiff stems. Violety blue flower spikes appear all summer and add an airy feeling to the garden itself. Useful in mass planting, in the perennial border, or as an alternative to Lavender.
Care: Russian sage is a very low-maintenance plant. Make sure they don’t dry out during their first season (but don’t overwater, either!) and after that they’re pretty tough plants. They don’t need to be fertilized or divided. The only care they need is that they should be cut back to 6 to 8 inches tall in early spring to promote bushy growth.
Propagation: Russian Sage is easily propagated by taking softwood cuttings in May or June. “Softwood” means the current year’s growth, before it gets hard and woody. The cuttings can either be kept indoors under lights or in a window, or outdoors in a sheltered spot. To take softwood cuttings of Russian Sage:
  1. Cut about 4 to 6 inches from the end of a stem, right below a leaf node.
  2. Remove any leaves from the bottom 2 inches or so of the stem.
  3. Dip cut end into rooting hormone.
  4. Plant in seed-starting mix (a combination of peat, perlite, and vermiculite-or buy a prepared mix from the store) in either flats or pots. Using a pencil, make a hole 1-2 inches deep, stick the end with the rooting hormone in, and firm the soil gently around the cutting.
  5. Water thoroughly.
  6. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag, supported by sticks to keep it away from the cutting.
  7. Keep the soil moist, but not too wet. The cutting will root within a few weeks and can then be planted out in the garden.
Good companions for Russian Sage:
  • Black Eyed Susan
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Purple Coneflower
  • Agastache
  • Starflower