Russian Sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia
An upright, shrubby perennial, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet, that is native to Turkestan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is woody at the base and can spread below ground. While called Russian Sage, this plant has no relation to true Sage ( Salvia ). Russian Sage is not eaten by deer or insects, rarely bothered by disease.
The finely-textured, deeply-cut, narrow leaves, up to 2.4 x 1.2 inches, are gray-green. The foliage is aromatic when rubbed or cut.
The profuse, tiny, blue-violet, tubular flowers are borne in hazy looking spikes, up to 15 inches in length, from mid summer into early autumn. The flowers look great with Ornamental Grasses, Shasta Daisies, Nippon Daisies, Rudbeckia fulgida and Echinaceas.
The stems are whitish in color.
Hardy zones 4a to 9 in full sun ( tolerates partial shade ) on neutral to alkaline, very well drained soil. Tolerant of harsh climates, it even thrives in parts of Alberta, Canada. It does not like soil that is excessively wet during winter. Salt tolerant, making it an excellent choice for use in parking lot medians.
Moderately drought, clay and very heat tolerant, it loves hot dry sites. Prune back to 6 inches from ground level in late autumn or early spring. Not generally eaten by rabbits and deer.
Propagation is from softwood cuttings taken during late spring.
Pharmacology: leaves are sometimes smoked like tobacco for its euphoriant properties

* photos taken on 4th of July @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* photo of unknown internet source

* photos taken on Aug 3 2012 in London, ON

'Blue Jean Baby'
Vigorous yet upright and compact in habit, reaching up to 3.1 x 3.8 feet in 5 years. There is an average of 64 stems per plant.
The leaves are up to 2.8 x 0.8 inches in size.
The lavender-blue flowers appear mid-summer into autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 9

* photo taken on Oct 18 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA

* photo taken on Aug 25 2024 in Timonium, MD

* patent photo

'Blue Mist'
Similar with pale blue flowers.

'Blue Spire'
Vigorous in habit, reaching up to 5 x 8 ( rarely over 4 x 4 ) feet, with deep blue flowers.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 ( 3 on protected sites )

* photos taken on Oct 5 2011 in Columbia, MD


* photos taken on Aug 4 2012 in Goderich, ON

* photos taken on Aug 28 2018 in Arlington, VA

'Denim 'N Lace'
Moderate growing, compact, upright and sturdy in habit, reaching up to 2.9 x 2.9 feet in 3 years, eventually to 2.9 x 3 feet.
The leaves are up to 3.2 x 1.6 inches in size.
The flowers are intense bright blue.
Hardy zones 4 to 9

* photo taken on Aug 15 2024 in Kincardine, ON

* patent photos

'Filigran'
Upright and bushy in habit, reaching up to 5 x 4 feet. The very attractive foliage is deeply cut and extremely fine textured. The blue flowers are borne mid-summer into early autumn.

* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.


'Lacey Blue'
Moderate growing and compact, upright in habit, reaching up to 2.5 x 1 foot during the first year, to 3 x 3 feet in 2 years, eventually up to 3.3 feet.
The foliage is silvery-gray. The elliptical leaves average 1.8 x 0.6 inches in size.
The lavender, larger than average flowers are borne on sturdy, upright spikes. They appear from early summer until autumn frosts.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

* photo taken on May 29 2020 in Elkridge, MD

* photos taken on Aug 15 2024 in Kincardine, ON

* patent photo

'Little Lace'
Very dense and compact and upright in habit, reaching just 1.2 x 1.2 feet in 2 years, eventually to 2 x 2 feet.
The elliptical leaves average 1.6 x 0.7 inches in size.
The abundant, light purple flowers appear mid-summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 8.

* patent photos

'Little Spire'
Compact and upright in habit, reaching up to 3.8 x 3 ( rarely over 2 ) feet. It is also nonsuckering unlike many other Perovskias.
The deeply cut gray foliage contrasts with deep violet flowers over a season of 15+ weeks from mid summer through mid autumn. It does not flop over - no pinching is needed.

* photo taken on July 1 2011 in Clarksville, MD

* photo taken on May 9 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Longin'
Dense in habit, reaching up to 6 feet or more, with stout erect stems.
The silvery-gray leaves are wider and less toothed than the species.
The violet flowers are borne mid summer into early autumn.

* photo taken on July 1 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 15 2024 in Kincardine, ON

'Taiga'
Upright in habit, reaching up to 5 x 3 feet, with deep sky-blue flowers contrasting nicely with the silvery foliage.

* photo taken on Aug 16 2024 in Bayfield, ON