Russian sage attracts butterflies and bees and is dramatic as an unsung cut flower. Combines perfectly with other low water plants like lavender, sedum, and ornamental grasses, even pairs nicely with bold leafed succulents like large agaves and aloes.
Sage is another herb that thrives in conditions that lavender favors. No matter the variety, sage will thrive in hot climates, sandy, well-draining soil with little water or fuss. Sage grows best in Zones 5-11. Thyme, sage, and lavender make a great group for planting together, especially in pots or containers.
What plants complement Russian sage?
Companion Plants: Because of the wispy nature of Russian Sage, it is fabulous planted with a flower that can pick up the violet-blue of its many flower panicles, and ‘grow through it, such as Coneflower (Echinacea spp.), globe thistle (Echinops ritro) or tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis).
Does Russian sage look like lavender?
Russian Sage. Out of all the plants on this list that look similar to lavender, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is by far the closest match. What is this? Like lavender, it’s a clump-forming perennial with silver-grey foliage, white stems and long spikes that feature small mauve flowers.
Can you plant Russian sage and lavender together? – Related Questions
Which is better Russian sage or lavender?
As we mentioned before, lavender buds can be used in pastries and other desserts.Its aroma and flavor are sweeter than that of the Russian sage, which has a more earthy, herbaceous taste. It’s also a more distinct flavor, whereas Russian sage may not be as detectable in dishes.
What does Russian sage repel?
Both Russian Sage and Lemon Verbena are known for cooking, but they have distinct smells that keep mosquitoes away. Lavender is also popular, especially for indoors, but Gaskins said it also serves as a repellent.
What else looks like Russian sage?
Beautiful sprouting stems, green foliage, and pink to purple blossoms – at first glance, Salvia, Russian Sage, and Veronica look identical.
How do I identify Russian sage?
Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is an attractive plant with elongate, gray-green leaves and square, silvery-gray stems that produces an airy cloud of color late in the summer. The tiny, purple-blue, tubular flowers are arranged in whorls along long stems.
What is another name for Russian sage?
Salvia yangii, previously known as Perovskia atriplicifolia (/pəˈrɒvskiə ætrɪplɪsɪˈfoʊliə/), and commonly called Russian sage, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant and subshrub.
Is there such a thing as purple sage?
Certain true sages, members of the genus Salvia in the mint family, are referred to as purple sage: Salvia dorrii, also called Ute tobacco sage, Dorr’s sage, etc., has showy purple flowers. It is a mild hallucinogen when smoked, and is used in Native American ceremonies and Native American herbal medicine.
Should purple sage be cut back?
Purple sage sees new branches growing every season, although most of these die back in the winter. This means that pruning isn’t necessary. Light pruning, however, particularly of the outer branches, can help the plant to maintain an upright form and encourage healthy growth.
Do you deadhead purple sage?
Will purple sage survive winter?
In early to midsummer, it sends up lavender-purple flower spikes; it has both ornamental and culinary qualities in an herb garden. It tolerates alkaline soil but cannot survive wet winter conditions.
What temperature is too cold for sage?
Hardy only to about 15 degrees F, though winter protection can help. In cold winter areas, small plants can be potted up in fall and grown through winter indoors.
Should sage be cut back before winter?
Early spring is a good time to cut back sage. If the leaves are cut before winter, the plant might have difficulty to get through the winter time. Now, in February, the shoots can be cut back to about 5 cm. After pruning, when the weather improves, the sage will get new sprouts and grow bushier.
How do you winterize sage?
Herbs that hold some leaves through winter — for example, sage and winter savory — will endure the cold better if you give them seasonal shelter from frigid winds. Make a shelter with cloth, burlap or even bubble wrap stapled to wood stakes in a box or teepee shape. Keep them sleeping.
Are you supposed to cut back Russian sage in the fall?
Is it best to cut Russian sage back in fall or spring? Wait until late winter or early spring to cut back Russian sage, butterfly bush and pest-free perennials. Research has found letting these plants stand for winter increases their hardiness.
Do you cut back Russian sage for winter?
In areas with mild winters, tackle pruning Russian sage after flowers fade and when winter settles in. You can give plants a hard prune at this point, cutting plants to 6 to 12 inches tall, if you don’t want to see stems all winter long. Otherwise, wait to do a hard prune in late winter or very early spring.