Russian Sage Planting & Care
Once-unknown, Russian sage has just recently become an incredibly popular plant among home gardeners, thanks to its striking appearance and low-maintenance reputation. This perennial shrub boasts silvery foliage and tiny lavender-blue flowers that grow along tall, narrow stems. Growers of Russian sage will enjoy the plant's long bloom time, which typically lasts from July through the first frost. Does this Spark an idea?
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Use
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Russian sage is an ideal plant for difficult growing conditions; it tolerates drought, poor soil and salty air beautifully and works well in both dry and humid climates, as long as it's given plenty of sun. It's a popular choice for rock gardens and wildflower gardens since it has a natural and informal appearance. Russian sage grows to four or five feet in height, making it a striking addition to the back of any garden border.
Conditions
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Russian sage should be planted in areas with full sun and in soil that is very well-draining; this plant is native to rocky areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan so it thrives under hot, dry conditions. It can tolerate some very light shade but too much shade will create leggy plants that flop unless staked. In addition to being drought-tolerant, Russian sage also does well in seaside areas and locations with high pH soil.
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Planting
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As a clumping perennial, Russian sage looks and performs best when planted in groups. Plants will grow to two or three feet in width and should be planted about 18 inches apart; the tall stems tend to flop, especially when they receive insufficient sun, so close planting will allow individual plants to lean on each other. Gardeners can plant Russian sage anytime from spring until about a month before the season's first frost.
Maintenance
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Russian sage is wonderfully low-maintenance, resisting pest and disease problems well and requiring no fertilizer but it hates soggy soil so gardeners should be careful not to overwater. Cutting the plants down to 6 to 8 inches high in early spring will promote full, bushy growth. Growers in warm climates should deadhead plants after the first bloom to encourage another bloom but gardeners in cold climates can leave the flowers alone through the winter.
Propagation
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Gardeners can propagate Russian sage by taking 4 to 6 inch cuttings of new growth in May or June, then dipping the cuttings in rooting hormone and planting in seed-starting mix. Place the planted cutting in a sunny window in the house or outdoors in a sheltered spot. After several weeks of regular watering the cutting will take root and can then be planted outside.
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