- Botanical name: Perovskia atriplicifolia
- Common name: Russian sage
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Shrub, Deciduous
Purple
Silver
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
- Succeeds on poor soil
Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a handsome sub-shrub that reaches its peak performance towards the end of summer and into early autumn, when it produces masses of lavender-coloured flowers held on branching, aromatic stems.
Perovskia atriplicifolia is a fantastic addition to a herbaceous border or gravel garden, growing alongside plants like eryngiums, rudbeckias and echinaceas. The flowers are a magnet for pollinating insects.
For best results, grow Perovskia atriplicifolia in full sun in well-drained soil. Prune hard each year in mid- to late spring create a woody framework a few inches high – this encourages strong new growth that will carry flowers later in the year.
How to grow Perovskia atriplicifolia
-
Plant size
1.2m height
100cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plant | ||||||||||||
Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
Flowers | ||||||||||||
Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do Take cuttings in July |
A
Do Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
Cut back | ||||||||||||
Cut back |
J
Do not Cut back in January |
F
Do not Cut back in February |
M
Do not Cut back in March |
A
Do Cut back in April |
M
Do Cut back in May |
J
Do not Cut back in June |
J
Do not Cut back in July |
A
Do not Cut back in August |
S
Do not Cut back in September |
O
Do not Cut back in October |
N
Do not Cut back in November |
D
Do not Cut back in December |
Perovskia atriplicifolia and wildlife
Perovskia atriplicifolia is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Perovskia atriplicifolia poisonous?
Perovskia atriplicifolia has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People