Spikes of rich violet-blue flowers appear in high summer, continuing into late fall. You can also plant them later in the summer as long as you get them in the ground six weeks before a hard frost. ... such as Oriental Poppies or Russian Sage which have long taproots. Choose a cool morning on an overcast day so the roots won't dry out quickly, and so the newly-divided plant will have time to establish in its new location. Choose a location with very well-drained soil of average fertility in full sun. Do this just as the lower leaf buds are beginning to open, but before new growth fully starts. Newer hybrids are sturdier and remain upright. Although its branches are woody, like a shrub, the top portion of the plant may die back in cold winters. Divide Russian sage in the spring while the plants are still small. Russian sage is reliably hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. The flowers are excellent for cutting. In southern NH, October is the ideal time of year for fall division or transplanting. In the meantime, you will need to keep the seeds continually moist and warm. It will tolerate many soil types as long as it doesn't become waterlogged. Russian sage is usually grown from container plants. Its attractive fragrant narrow leaves emerge silver in spring, turning grayish green in color throughout the season. They will start off growing tall and bend over under the weight of the flowers. Russian sage is hardy in USDA plant hardiness Zones 5 through 10. If you are planting more than one, be sure to give each plant at least 2 - 3 ft. of space. Russian sage needs full sun to perform its best. Russian sage is a 3 to 5-foot tall perennial with purplish blue flowers and silver foliage. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a sturdy, drought-tolerate plant with attractive silvery-gray foliage. The flowers themselves are actually very small bluish purple in color with a four lobed upper petal and a smaller lower petal. Since it blooms on new wood, Russian sage is often treated as a perennial plant. Although commonly known as Russian sage, the seven known species of this plant are not native to Russia but grow in an area stretching from … If you want a more upright plant either choose a variety bred to grow upright. Russian sage is a beautiful perennial with small blue flowers that is neither Russian nor sage.Though it has the aroma of sage when the leaves are crushed, the plant is inedible and actually can be quite poisonous. This is an airy plant that makes a great specimen. One factor to consider, when you are thinking about the best time for transplanting big plants, is whether you will need to root prune. Russian sage, or Perovskia, is a late summer blooming perennial that bursts into flower like a cloud of blue. Spring often works well, and fall is one of the transplanting seasons of choice. Russian sage is a perennial plant that can easily be transplanted to a well-draining soil location with proper care. They will quickly fill the space. Softwood cuttings... Transplanting Russian … A Lovely Mediterranean Border with Russian Sage and Lilies of the Nile Rich in texture and interest, this fragrant garden border features a fresh color palette of blue and purple perennial flowers. It goes from a hazy, pale blue to a jubilant azure. This is where Russian sage grows best. Russian Sage is extremely valuable for its long season of bloom in the summer garden. The lavender-blue works especially well with whites and yellows and with other gray foliage plants. For the average gardener, pruning Russian sage typically occurs on the ends of the growing season—near the start and finish. The blooms have darker markings from the upper petal into the tube. The plant does sprawl a bit, so it can be used atop a wall to spill over. How to Grow Russian Sage. This plant blooms in the summer. The stems can be woody, so thin them to encourage new growth. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, 14 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Perennial Garden, 14 Best Landscape Plants With Purple Flowers. For now, feel free to continue reading. Set the Russian sage in the center of the hole, so that the plant is as deep as it was before you dug it up. Plant these wonderful perennial plants near a pool where they can be reflected for double the pleasure. Russian sage roots best from softwood cuttings taken in early summer. How to Transplant Russian Sage Russian Sage Varieties. Not to be outdone by its flowers, the plant's stems and foliage make a strong statement of their own, perhaps even outstrippi… Aug 10, 2016 - Learn about pruning Russian sage, including a few tips on Russian sage propagation, from the experts at HGTV Gardens. The best times for transplanting perennials are the months when the weather is cool. You can start Russian sage from seed, but you will need to be patient. Although Russian sage is extremely drought tolerant, new transplants will need regular water. Best Time to Transplant Trees and Shrubs. Space holes 18 inches apart if you're planting more than one. Russian sage grows so well in hot, dry, sunny clay that in some areas it is considered invasive, so check local restrictions before planting it. The process tends to start sometime in July and continue through August. Wear gloves when moving, as the leaves may irritate skin. These can be planted any time during the growing season. Once established, the plants can start to spread by runners (it is in the mint family). Disclosure. 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Rust is a fungal disease that reduces plant vigor, and if it gets terrible, the plant can die. Inside the tube is a clean white color. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. The flowers start off subdued and gain brilliance as they open, then gradually fade away again. Late summer and early fall is the time to plant, divide, and transplant many different perennials, shrubs, and trees including spring flowering perennials. Gardeners in all climates should prune Russian sage plants back to about 6-8 inches in the spring. Carefully dig around roots, starting one foot away from the plant base. The flowers form on new wood -- branches that grew during the current season. It is a good plant for fall color in the garden, to use for dried or cut flowers, or to attract butterflies. Prune sage bushes lightly in summer after flowering. 10 Foolproof Perennial Plants for the Northeast U.S. 16 Silver Foliage Plants to Brighten Your Landscape, 10 Great Shrubs With Blue or Lavender Flowers, Best Perennials That Offer Long Bloom Periods, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping. This perennial plant produces blue-violet blooms mid-summer to late fall. These can be planted any time during the growing season. My Russian sages have thrived in the full sun of southern New Mexico. … The biggest maintenance requirement of Russian sage is pruning. Full sun for abundant flower blooms. Choose a location with hot, intense sun, even as hot as the space between sidewalk and street or a strip along a driveway… Russian sage is a woody subshrub. It has an upright habit with grey-green leaves and can grow 1.5 to 4 feet tall. Because of its easy care and smoky-blue flower spikes, Russian Sage plants are one of the most common perennials featured in drought-resistant landscapes. Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. Russian sage forms a purple haze in gardens starting in mid- to late summer with its purple spires of bloom. If you are growing a Russian sage plant from seed, start indoors in early spring and transplant the seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Do you have floppy Russian sage that is driving you crazy thinking about how to care for it? Should you cut it back, transplant it or stake it? Russian Sage is an erect, perennial shrub that is clump-forming, 3-4' tall and 3-4' wide. The grayish-green leaves of Perovskia are pungently scented, apparent when they are crushed or brushed against. If you are planting more than one, be sure to give each plant at least 2 - 3 ft. of space. Most will reach a mature size of 4 ft. (H) x 3 ft. (W). Since it is drought tolerant, once it is established, it can handle dry, hot areas well. Russian sage is usually grown from container plants. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. This bush produces panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers throughout the summer. Plant forms a bushy upright clump of greyish leaves that are lacy and fragrant. Cut back stems to several inches above ground in spring to stimulate good seasonal growth. Give Russian sage a well-draining soil and full sun for best growth. Russian sage plants start blooming slowly, just hinting at their full color. Carefully dig around roots, starting one foot away from the plant base. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) . Russian Sage can be planted in either the early spring or late fall. Russian sage is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant shrub, making it a great choice for xeriscaping. Russian Sage (Perovskia) is a superbly-adapted shrub, suited to harsh, erratic conditions where it’s at its best. Where to plant: These offshoots do not transplant easily. Germination can take up to four months. In the case of the Russian sage, the calyx is covered in coa… Part sun conditions will cause the plant to become leggier and flop over. These plants are very easy to grow. The following is a guide to the dangers of growing Russian sage. Peonies are a good example of a plant that prefers to be transplanted in autumn if it must happen at all. Start with your planting spot. Many varieties of Russian sage have a somewhat weeping habit. In warmer regions, deadheading may result in a second flush of bloom. Basic planting steps apply whether you're planting in spring, summer or fall: Dig a hole a little deeper and about twice as wide as the plant's root ball. It has fragrant leaves and it blooms from mid-summer season to the fall. Growing Russian sage in partly shaded locations may cause the plants to sprawl. The fuzzy flowers are whorled around silver-gray stems, forming an unusual and eye-catching scene. Older plants do not divide well. Dig a hole that is as wide and deep as the transplant's root mass. Plant your Russian sage in full sun for the most dense vegetation and abundant display for flowers. It is recommended you divide plants every 4 - 6 years to rejuvenate them and to cut back on their ability to spread. Light: Full sun is recommended for Russian sage. Russian sage is particularly effective in the middle or back of a bed or as a mass planting. However, it is an option and a good way to get a lot of inexpensive plants. Move Russian sage immediately, preventing dry roots. Plants grown in Zone 4 may need some winter protection, but as long as the roots survive, your plants should send out new growth in the spring. Give it a little shade, and plants tend to flop open as stems stretch for sunlight. Mar 16, 2015 - Russian sage is a perennial plant that can easily be transplanted to a well-draining soil location with proper care. Its long blooming period is valued by those who seek a flower bed that remains in bloom throughout the growing season. Russian Sage features delicate spikes of lavender flowers rising above the foliage from early summer to mid fall. They can become quite aggressive if you don't remove the new plants, roots and all, fairly soon. They tolerate poor soil, drought, and a wide range of soil pH. Russian sage comes in several cultivars, including Blue Mist (Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue... Rooting Russian Sage Cuttings. like "Logi", or use something like pea brush to keep the weeping side from flopping. Russian sage needs full sun to bloom well. Set out new plants in early spring, spacing them 2 to 3 feet (.6-.9 m.) apart. Choose a sunny site for your plants with soil that is on the grittier side (sandier loam) to promote good drainage and ensure a successful overwintering. Once they do germinate, it can be a few years before they are large enough to begin flowering. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. Wear gloves when moving, as the leaves may irritate skin. The general rule of thumb is that spring and early summer blooming perennials should be divided & transplanted in the fall and late summer and fall bloomers in the spring. Common Problems and Solutions for Growing Sage Rust. Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) Blooming for weeks from mid-summer to fall, this delicate-looking plant is a toughy that is resistant to drought, heat, pests and poor soils. The long panicles of flowers become increasingly brilliant as they open. Some varieties of Perovskia have a somewhat weeping form. Often what seems like the flowers on Russian sage are actually the calyx,a tube that protects the flowers from damage before they bloom. Choose a new planting location that is in the full sun. Otherwise, leave the flower heads for winter interest. | Planting Time: Spring / Summer There, temperatures occasionally reached 105 degrees F.