Russian Sage Growing Perovskia In The Garden

Cover Pruning Russian Sage StepByStep Instructions Get Busy Gardening (600x900)

Table of Contents

1. What is Russian Sage?
2. When to Plant Russian Sage?
3. How to Care for Russian Sage?
4. How to Prune Russian Sage?
5. How to Dry Russian Sage?

What is Russian Sage?

Russian Sage, scientifically known as Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a hardy, woody perennial that belongs to the mint family. Native to Central Asia, it is a popular choice among gardeners for its beautiful, silver-gray foliage and purple-blue flowers that bloom in late summer and fall.

The plant can grow up to 3-5 feet tall and spread up to 2-4 feet wide. It is drought-tolerant and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden.

When to Plant Russian Sage?

Russian Sage can be planted in spring or fall. It is best to plant it after the last frost in spring or 6-8 weeks before the first frost in fall. The ideal temperature for planting is between 60-70°F.

The plant prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. However, it is essential to ensure that the soil is not waterlogged, as the plant does not like wet feet.

How to Care for Russian Sage?

Once established, Russian Sage is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care. Here are some tips for caring for your Russian Sage:

• Watering: Russian Sage is drought-tolerant and does not need frequent watering. However, it is essential to water the plant deeply once a week during the growing season to promote healthy growth.
• Fertilizing: Russian Sage does not need much fertilizer. You can apply a slow-release fertilizer once a year in spring to provide the plant with necessary nutrients.
• Pruning: Prune the plant in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches and shape the plant. You can also prune the plant by one-third of its height in mid-summer to promote bushier growth and more blooms.
• Pests and Diseases: Russian Sage is relatively pest and disease-resistant. However, it can attract spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies. You can control these pests by spraying the plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

How to Prune Russian Sage?

Pruning is essential for Russian Sage to promote healthy growth and more blooms. Here are some tips for pruning your Russian Sage:

• Timing: Prune the plant in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. You can also prune the plant by one-third of its height in mid-summer to promote bushier growth and more blooms.
• Tools: Use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. You can also use a pair of loppers for thicker branches.
• Technique: Cut the dead or damaged branches back to the ground level. Shape the plant by pruning the top branches to maintain its form. You can also prune the lateral branches to promote bushier growth.

How to Dry Russian Sage?

Russian Sage is also popular for its aromatic leaves that can be used in potpourri or dried flower arrangements. Here are some tips for drying your Russian Sage:

• Timing: Harvest the leaves before the plant blooms. The best time to harvest is in the morning when the dew has dried.
• Method: Tie the stems together and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, and dark place for 2-3 weeks. Alternatively, you can lay the stems flat in a single layer on a screen or paper towel in a warm, dry, and dark place.
• Storage: Once the leaves are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Conclusion

Russian Sage is a beautiful and low-maintenance plant that can add color and texture to your garden. By following the tips in this guide, you can grow and care for your Russian Sage successfully.77Zoe, 78Simon, 61Streetwise, 80Jacob, 84Eric, 67Uncle, 4Anne, 90Dr, 51EWART, 31Louise, 16Kevin, 90Eugenia, 8Barbara, 90Emily, 30Marcy, 61Diana, 61Andr, 33Ariana, 35Linda, 23David, 6Denise, 77Bill, 96Bel, 79Anouchka, 71Donna, 22Simon, 76Andrew, 53Peter, 99Rick, 62Emmett, 77Sean, 19Auzias, 89E, 35Gary, 10Beezix, 48Rebecca, 71Christopher, 74Marissa, 46Charlotte, 8Bert, 82M, 73Carolyn, 62Kimberly, 29Xiaoyuan, 22the, 13Carol, 49Richard, 79Elias, 33George, 90Braincord, 23Leon, 81Stephen, 87Blixa, 5Dee, 50Alan, 35BrownTrout, 1BrownTrout, 36Robin, 61Jean, 77Tommy, 55Andy, 51Oliphant, 11Lucy, 86Andrzej, 25Jeffrey, 5Kristin, 33ND, 44Logan, 59Mark, 46M, 28Zack, 88John, 12Dhaval, 14Chris, 60Randall, 71Ronald, 29Mary, 45Rifat, 70Lynda, 96Mariana, 14Merrie, 72Anna, 63Diana, 67Samantha, 56Michelin, 13Judith, 83Duane, 22Nechama, 41Tammy, 99step, 45Lucy, 25H, 34Kim, 20Step, 78Kirk, 51Stephen, 53Ronald, 94Kirsten, 72Jane, 42Jim, 4Diana, 99Lumos, 52Shirley, 33Chad, 85Neil, 62Ann, 58Jay, 80Guillem, 59Mili, 45Daniel, 96Lippincott, 54Michelin, 23Tom, 31Jermaine, 43Alain, 78S, 43Demi, 100Charles, 22Peter, 13Stephen, 89Lee, 80Ruth, 28Menachem, 40Alvin, 9Dr, 55BrownTrout, 3Bill, 81Patty, 40Lisa, 20Stephen, 37Kristine, 5Michelin, 96Stephanie, 54Harry, 82Suzanne, 5infocusbooks, 56Esphyr, 58Don, 26Jules, 20Stephen, 62Eric, 28Michael, 86Jim, 54Roland, 72J, 22Bernard, 8Tres, 41Rachel, 8Amy, 85Jeffrey, 16Josh, 58Michelin, 91Brush, 31Teresa, 26Sammy, 11Sarah, 76Elliot, 10Shahin, 70Alisa, 86Mark, 30Ari, 51Lucy, 35Donald, 50Roger, 99Denise, 28Overeaters, 23Tom, 45Matthew, 46Nic, 52Jacquie, 60Benjamin, 46John, 76Clyde, 54Marc, 89Paul, 54Paul, 57Anna, 87LEE, 20Graham, 26Girja, 3Declan, 56Rebecca, 76step, 83Tim, 81Oscar, 54Wonder, 94Cate, 90Matthew, 82Adam, 65Nicol, 42Brush, 42Ray, 83Stephen, 25Dr, 84Laura, 29Roopesh, 37Robert, 24Reid, 3Monica, 34Hal, 36Thomas, 13Doug, 99Leslie, 60Dan, 81Val, 66Leslie, 97Christopher, 16K, 1Meg, 20Paul, 75Anatomical, 22David, 27Karen, 20Lincoln, 63James, 25Tony, 574, 50Betsy, 12Matthew, 81Carlos, 76Michelin, 88Cricket, 52Noah, 53Jessica, 20Nick, 67Michael, 92Francis, 94Mary, 81Jing, 59Thierry, 98Eliot, 27Technical, 91Andreas, 92Bensons, 69Margareta, 60Stan, 6ILYA, 49John, 96Rollen, 98Gwyneth, 4Sienna, 67Kevin, 11Jann, 58Paul, 85Herman, 5G, 50Peter, 74R, 4Charles, 57St, 60Griselda, 67Ant, 76David, 96Nathan, 26Oscar, 94Thomas, 16Thich, 15Urmi, 26Marios, 40Bill, 43Logan, 57Billie, 29Leslie, 70Michele, 60Michael, 97Cath, 16Cartographia, 65B, 17Michelin, 60Jane, 58Tom, 93Hardcover, 80Melissa, 7Athens, 43Robin, 76Alex, 20Christina, 95Suzanne, 74Alan, 72Ralph, 24John, 56Carter, 61Tzurba, 20Sally, 82Terence, 55Clarissa, 24Dale, 19Lucretius, 33Peter, 44Liliane, 24F, 48Steve, 74Alain, 40Steven, 87Tomoyuki, 53Mark, 87Lauren, 28Laurie, 71Bryan, 60Ronnie, 1Madeleine, 46Mike, 39Eileen, 16Jim, 32Mike, 7Julie, 38Melissa, 54Hal, 86Gillian, 3Linda, 40Frances, 74Thich, 96Frank, 71Dean, 21KATHLEEN, 22Doug, 26Charles, 29Michael, 1James, 93Charles, 84Elizabeth, 69Sally, 25Brian, 31W, 49BrownTrout, 7Michelin, 9Lisa, 100Razeen, 91Nancy, 57Elizabeth, 60Roberto, 15Karen, 75Eben, 69National, 5Claire, 28Radislav, 36Christophe, 48Ellen, 54Christian, 41Pittacus, 77de, 78Brian, 10Jonathan, 71FERRANDI, 98Paula, 89Programming, 88Sri, 91Regula, 20Tom, 74Code, 78Venkat, 68a, 62Melanie, 66Harry, 72Robert, 21Michelin, 24John, 10Dan, 26James, 97Erich, 77Roy, 95Karl, 14Mary, 98Martin, 84Shane, 66Daniel, 88Fourth, 1Inc, 66Jean, 623, 16Rollo, 81Bernardine, 70Charles, 43Various, 18Steven, 88Aleksandra, 18Waln, 5Kate, 91Judith, 23Elliot, 50Chiara, 5stedmans, 6Peter, 41Andrew, 29Bill, 95Beezix, 69Jean, 83Leslie, 86Frank, 31Michelin, 96Adele, 18Lynne, 55Zhili, 85Elysia, 16Michael, 48Nickelodeon, 86Zainul, 14Hayward, 65Richard, 48George, 91Michelin, 81MPAGI, 28Capcom, 38Jeannine, 62Nicolas, 6Terry, 38Nagapriya, 83Alex, 92Jennifer, 22Nathaniel, 50Edward, 26Greg, 69Holly, 78Aditi, 66Sanket, 20Clara, 88Sean, 39Adam, 84Joan, 74Wayne, 57Robert, 13Ben, 2Kathy, 4Phillip, 95Bruce, 50Jonah, 78Richard, 40Stephen, 19Marco, 74Massimo, 51Sandro, 80Rules, 38BrownTrout, 50Peter, 11Sandra, 33Carlos, 61C, 62Jesse, 2Thomas, 96Jessica, 62Ron, 12Giovanni, 50Basavaraj, 47Murray, 38Joan, 60Anthony, 90Joanie, 67William, 31Caroline, 97Lars, 87Andreas, 73E, 80Helen, 80Akira, 97Michael, 11Mircea, 42Ridley, 91Jonathan, 25Tom, 26David, 87Swami, 21Ediciones, 4AMERICAN, 37Loves, 84Maurizio, 67Marta, 35Gary, 16Robin, 66Victor, 31Karleen, 46BrownTrout, 94Martijn, 41Rosicrucian, 52Mindy, 36Julia, 11Eduardo, 25Resit, 91Richard, 68Jean, 33Rick, 2Leslie, 62Tirso, 22Neil, 11HeatherAsh, 55Gianna, 47Jeff, 80J, 68Lan, 72Sarah, 23Tom, 59Stanley, 80Erin, 24Abigail, Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, Russian Sage is an excellent choice for any garden.