This plant can grow well in dry, hot and sunny clay. Avoid wet, poorly drained soils. The mature plant may be 0.6–1.2 m (2 ft. 0 in–3 ft. 11 in) across. Its cool-colored flowers and foliage combine well with reds, oranges, and yellows; its fine-textured foliage is a good foil for plants with coarser leaves, such as coneflower (Echinacea), black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), iris, aster, and sedum. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Russian sage can be used in the garden in many ways. Plant your Russian sage in full sun for the most dense vegetation and abundant display for flowers. tall and wide (45-60 cm). It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Plant these 18 inches apart (you’ll want 3 or more in a clump) in a well drained, sandy soil. The plant tolerates a variety of soil conditions. The flowers themselves are actually very small bluish purple in color with a four lobed upper petal and a smaller lower petal. Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is a flowering herb that’s native to the Mediterranean Basin. Full sun for abundant flower blooms. In addition to tolerating moist clay soil well, the buttonbush will also grow without impediment in alkaline soil or areas with periodic flooding. Russian Sage . Where to plant: A sunny spot in well-drained soil is all this plant asks for, making it ideal for hot, dry climates. Light: Full sun is recommended for Russian sage. Help answer a question about Russian Sage - Gardening Know How Questions & Answers. It is called Russian sage because Perovskia was named for a Russian general, not because it is from that area. Russian Sage can be planted in either the early spring or late fall. If you have visions of lavender in your garden, but your poor soil doesn't allow it, Russian sage can fill in. Performs best in full sun, in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). It is in flower from September to October. It can tolerate clay soil, dry soil, street salt, and are deer and rabbit resistant. There are a number of straightforward steps that the home gardener can take to improve the productivity of clay soil: Start with a soil test: Clay soils vary in pH and may require correction to get into the commonly recommended pH range of 6.3 to 6.8. It blooms all summer and grows successfully in any soil, from clay to sand, as well as salty and highly alkaline ones. Add a layer of garden soil mixed with compost, and sand. Set the plant on a third layer of gravel and turkey grit or sand. Russian sage attracts butterflies and is drought-resistant, frost-resistant and deer-resistant. Easily grown in average to lean, fast-draining soils. P. atriplicifolia can thrive in sandy, chalky, or loamy soil, or heavy clay soil with sufficient drainage. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; once established, reduce frequency. An import from central Asia, Russian sage thrives in our high, dry climate, bright sunshine and alkaline soils. Often what seems like the flowers on Russian sage are actually the calyx,a tube that protects the flowers from damage before they bloom. Although young specimens perform best when planted in a mixture of peat and either sand or perlite, P. atriplicifolia can thrive in sandy, chalky, or loamy soil, or heavy clay soil with sufficient drainage. Both materials will help aerate the soil for vigorous root growth. Its color combination adds beauty to your garden. Perovskia atriplicifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. Russian sage has grey-green leaves that are very aromatic with bluish-purple flowers that bloom mid-summer through fall. This shrub attracts 24 species of birds as well as butterflies to the garden. This compact selection forms a bushy upright clump of fragrant, metallic, silver leaves bearing copious spikes of lavender-blue flowers from mid-summer on. Vegetables 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. It grows five to eight feet tall and is hardy to USDA growing zones 4 through 8. In the case of the Russian sage, the calyx is covered in coa… Typically grows up to 18-24 in. The blooms have darker markings from the upper petal into the tube. Amsonia tabernaemontana ... Russian sage 'Little Spire' is a compact Russian sage cultivar which typically grows to 2' tall (species typically grows to 3-4'). 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