Perovskia
[per-OV-skee-ah]

Deciduous Perennial in the Lamiaceae Family

About Russian Sages

Salvia yangii, previously known as Perovskia atriplicifolia (/p??r?vski? ætr?pl?s??fo?li?/), and commonly called Russian sage, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant and subshrub. Although not previously a member of Salvia, the genus widely known as sage, since 2017 it has been included within them. It has an upright habit, typically reaching 1.6–3.9 ft tall, with square stems and grey-green leaves that yield a distinctive odor when crushed. It is best known for its flowers. Its flowering season extends from mid-summer to late October, with blue to violet blossoms arranged into showy, branched panicles. It is native to the steppes and hills of southwestern and central Asia. Successful over a wide range of climate and soil conditions, it has since become popular and widely planted. Several cultivars have been developed, differing primarily in leaf shape and overall height; 'Blue Spire' is the most common. This variation has been widely used in gardens and landscaping. S. yangii was the Perennial Plant Association's 1995 Plant of the Year, and the 'Blue Spire' cultivar received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. The species has a long history of use in traditional medicine in its native range, where it is employed as a treatment for a variety of ailments. This has led to the investigation of its phytochemistry. Its flowers can be eaten in salads or crushed for dyemaking, and the plant has been considered for potential use in the phytoremediation of contaminated soil.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 48 inches tall. 12 - 48 inches wide.
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium: Dry to medium, well-drained soils.
Zones 5a - 9b (Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Colorful Foliage, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Dry, Formal Garden, Fragrant Flowers, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Non-Allergenic, Normal Soil, Perennial, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period July to Frost
Flower Color Blue to Violet
 

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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