Russian salvia is easy to like for and fun to grow in any repeated heyday bed or landscaping .
The airy foliage and vivacious flowers make it a beautiful and low - maintenance accession to any tyro ’s garden .
But even the easiest plant need the right attention and environment to thrive .
Flowers on a Russian sage plant
This Russian sage guardianship guide is designed to facilitate you discover exactly what they demand . You ’ll find tips on water , sun , grime , temperature , and so much more all in one place .
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Quick Russian Sage Care Overview
Information About Russian Sage
Russian sage ( Perovskia atriplicifolia ) is a Natalie Wood inflorescence recurrent from the Lamiaceae , or mint , menage . Despite the rough-cut name , it ’s actually aboriginal to fundamental Asia .
It ’s a drouth - large-minded , abject - care herbaceous plant that ’s characterized by the marvelous thin spires , or panicles , and vibrant blooms . It can reach heights of 2 - 5 ’ tall and spread between 2 - 3 ’ wide .
Each subdivision has feathery white-haired - greenish leaves and either downhearted or purple flowers . Both are very redolent , especially when crushed , which make them democratic for potpourris .
It ’s course pest and disease resistant , versatile in landscaping , and ask very short hand - on attention .
Different Types Of Russian Sage
There are many miscellany of Russian sage , and each one features a somewhat different growth habit and visual aspect .
Thankfully , no matter which you select , they all take the same worldwide care . Here are some of the more popular cultivars you could try .
Flowers
Russian sage is know for its long - endure dingy or violet flowers that flower between early summer and mid - fall .
They look along the top third of each stem and often remain until temperatures begin to cool in the fall .
The blush are very small , but abundant and fragrant . They force back most garden pestilence , but are attractive to pollinators and hummingbird .
Toxicity
According to thisASPCA list of non - toxic plants , Russian salvia is not considered poisonous to animals .
So add it to your garden is a safe alternative if you have pets like dogs and cats .
How To Grow Russian Sage
Before we plunk into Russian sage industrial plant caution , first we need to chat about where to grow it .
The correct location is the best way to ensure abundant blooms and goodish growth year after yr .
Hardiness
Russian salvia is very hardy , and is a perennial in zona 4 - 9 . It can address utmost moth-eaten or hot weather without any issue .
It can often survive even lower zones with added wintertime protection , like mulch , or in a warmer microclimate expanse of your yard .
Where To Grow Russian Sage
The bushy increase and hardiness of Perovskia atriplicifolia make it a popular addition to outside garden as hedging or landscape gardening works , and it also does well in large containers .
Wherever you choose to develop them , they need a location with plenty of sun and good drainage to preclude issues with legginess and root rot .
Russian Sage Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Now that you know the double-dyed place to grow it , let ’s talk about how to care for Russian salvia . My steer will make this low - maintenance plant even easier to manage .
Sunlight
Russian salvia needs portion of sunshine to grow upright and shaggy-coated , and to produce lot of flowers .
pose it somewhere that receives 6 - 8 time of day of full sun to prevent leggy , thin outgrowth .
Watering
Perovskia atriplicifolia has intermediate water system needs . After it ’s established , it is very drouth tolerant and does n’t like to be overwatered .
Allow the soil to dry out several inches down , then give it a deep , thorough boozing . invalidate puddling or making it soggy , which can lead to root or stem rot .
If yours is in a container , always drain off the excess . If you struggle with over - watering , amoisture gauge probecan be ready to hand for helping you get it right .
Humidity
High to humbled humidity wo n’t bother Russian sage , it does well in moist or teetotal air , or anywhere in between .
Ideally it would opt average to scummy atmosphere wet , but thrives in my garden even during the extremely humid summers in Minnesota without any issues with mold or disease .
Temperature
Russian sage is also tolerant of a wide cooking stove of temperature . It can handle lows from -30 ° F ( -34.4 ° C ) to high over 95 ° F ( 35 ° one C ) just hunky-dory .
It will typically stop growing when temporary worker get down to 40 ° F ( 4.4 ° vitamin C ) or below , and start flourishing again once it ’s above 60 ° F ( 15.5 ° F ) .
In very cold area , you may cut it back to the primer coat in the autumn and contribute a layer of mulch over it for surplus protection .
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is not a necessary part of Russian sage attention . In fact , too much alimentation can be negative and cause them to droop .
At most , total a light layer ofcompostover the top of the rootball in the give when newfangled growth begin .
Soil
Russian salvia prefer a well - draining sandy filth , but can raise in almost any type , even miserable quality unity , because it requires few nutrients .
Avoid rich , fertile soils because they can cause the typically upright stem to fall over . better backbreaking clay beds with backbone to bring spare drain .
In container , choose abatic potting mixand amend it withpumiceorperliteto improve drainage and annul issues of rot .
Transplanting
Transplant your Russian salvia in the spring when temperatures are warm and you start to see new increment , but before the heat of summer kicks in .
Start by ready a hole in its raw locating . Next , mildly loosen it from its container or dig in a wide R-2 around the rootball to keep damage .
set it at the same depth and fulfill in the soil around it . Press down gently and water thoroughly , bestow more soil as it settles , if needed .
Pruning
Pruning is an important part of Russian salvia aid . Foliage will not grow at the tops of old woody stems after winter , so reduce them back in the spring to remove the bare subdivision .
you may get particular on unlike technique and step by footstep aid in myguide on pruning Russian salvia , but here are a few of import things to know .
Pest Control Tips
One of the expectant things about growing Russian salvia is that it ’s typically pestis - free . The fragrant foliation and prime in reality do as a deterrent to most troublesome bugs and beast .
If you do have issue with plebeian insects , like aphids or wanderer mites , use an constitutive spraying likeneem oilorinsecticidal soapto manage it . you’re able to make your own by fuse 1 teaspoon ofmild liquid soapwith 1 cubic decimetre of water .
Disease Control Tips
Russian sage is also usually disease - free . But it can be dissemble by root or stem rot . The practiced way to do that is with bar .
apply asimple probe gaugeto monitor moisture point , do n’t overwater , and ensure the soil is well - draining , peculiarly if you live somewhere with smashed winters .
Russian Sage Propagation Tips
you could propagate your Russian sage from cuttings , seeds , or by get rid of and replanting the offsets that build up at the base .
Cuttings are the most common method acting . Take a healthy 4 - 6 ” long clipping from new emergence in the spring or early summer .
Dip the cut terminate intorooting hormoneand industrial plant it in a moisten , well - draining metier .
Place it in full sun and keep it moist until Modern outgrowth begins . you may then transplant it into a larger container or the garden .
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Russian salvia genuinely is low - sustentation with very few outlet , but no flora is wholly care free . If you know one of these problems , my gratuity can facilitate you get back on course .
Yellow Leaves
Yellowing leave is normally a house of too much moisture from overwatering or high humidness .
Check the base of the stems or the roots for putrefaction . Cut back on watering and snip forth any rotten piece .
Brown Leaves
Perovskia atriplicifolia can acquire brown leaf from improper watering , either too much or not enough .
Soft , soggy , wilted stem with dark-brown leaves is a sign of too much . While dry , crispy get out that precipitate off are a symptom of excessive drought .
Avoid water to the percentage point of creating soggy , wet soil , or leaving it bone - juiceless for long menstruation of time .
Leggy Russian Sage Plant
Leggy , thin increment is a sign that your Russian salvia either needs to be pruned , or it ’s not sustain enough sunlight .
They demand 6 - 8 hours of full sun a day , and will not grow well if they get too much shade .
raw leaves wo n’t appear on older woody growth , so trim back away any bare branches from previous years at the beginning of each leap to rejuvenate your plant life .
Stems Falling Over
Drooping subdivision or stems falling over are one of the more common issue Russian sage experiences .
Some varieties but have heavy stems that can not go for themselves up . Stakes or inflexible neighboring flora can aid stomach them .
However , drooping can also be due to excess water , rich soil , or lack of brightness . Place them in full Lord’s Day in well - enfeeble orbit that is n’t too nutrient rich .
FAQs
Is Russian sage easy to grow?
Yes , Russian sage is a very easy to arise because it ’s frigid fearless , drought and hotness tolerant , thrive in poor caliber soil , is n’t picky about humidity , and does n’t usually have issues with pests or disease .
Does Russian sage come back every year?
Russian sage is a perennial that will do back every class in growing zone 4 - 9 , or in expanse that do n’t get below -30 ° F ( -34.4 ° coke ) .
Is Russian sage edible?
No , Russian salvia is not comestible , despite its name . However the fragrance of the crushed leaves and blossoms make them popular as a undercut bloom for decorating , or dried and used in potpourri .
Where should I plant my Russian sage?
Plant your Russian salvia somewhere in full sun in gritty , well - draining soil that is n’t too fertile . Large containers with drain holes also work well .
Is Russian sage invasive?
Russian sage is not view an invasive because , while it can spread , it ’s typically very slow and only go on in the most ideal condition . Many new cultivars are bred not to spread as much .
Does Russian sage spread?
Russian sage spreads , but only in highly idealistic circumstances , and ordinarily very slowly . It grows outgrowth near the base of the mother through underground rhizomes . you may remove and transplant them if you ’d like .
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