Is Russian sage easy to grow?
Russian sage is quite easy to grow once it becomes established. To prevent flopping while young, the plant can be staked or planted in close proximity to other plants that will support it. Russian sage must be planted in soil with good drainage and aeration, as the plant’s roots will rot if the soil is too wet.
How do you propagate Russian sage from cuttings?
Strip away any bark from the bottom of the cutting. Dip or soak the end of your Russian sage stem in rooting hormone powder available at garden centres. Dip it only long enough to get a good coat on about one-fourth inch of the cuttings. Do not let any powder collect on leaves or buds, as this will prevent them from taking root.
Can You Plant Russian sage in a gravel garden?
Consider planting Russian sage as a ‘hedge’ along a walkway, particularly in a gravel garden, where its color contrasts beautifully with the camel color of average pea gravels. Just make sure to allow plenty of room for expansion, as Russian sage loves to stretch its long arms in the garden.
Can Russian sage be grown from cuttings?
To propagate Russian sage from cuttings, choose a healthy, mature plant and take several cuttings that are each about four inches long, using a clean pair of pruning shears. Make your cuts just above a leaf node. Strip off all of the leaves except for a few at the tip of each cutting. Remove any buds or flowers.
Can you root sage in water?
If you aren't using a growth hormone, you'll want to establish a root structure before planting in soil. To do this, you can place your sage plant in a glass of water, with the 2″ of bare stem fully submerged. After 3-4 weeks you should start seeing roots sprouting out of the stem.
How do you grow Russian sage roots?
0:121:11Planting Russian Sage | Bee Favorite: Hardy Perennial - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd Russian sage love full Sun. Just spread out the roots. And then pull the soil up around it. AndMoreAnd Russian sage love full Sun. Just spread out the roots. And then pull the soil up around it. And then water it in you'll be amazed how quickly just will come out and bloom you.
How do you multiply Russian sage?
Propagate Russian sage plants by dividing the clumps or taking cuttings in spring. Dividing the clumps every four to six years reinvigorates the plants and helps to control their spread.
How long does it take for a cutting to root in water?
3-4 weeksSeveral cuttings may be placed together in one container. Be sure to add fresh water as needed until the cuttings are fully rooted. Rooting will generally occur in 3-4 weeks but some plants will take longer. When the roots are 1-2 inches long or longer the cutting is ready to be potted up.
Can you regrow sage from cuttings?
Growing new sage from cuttings is a great way to expand your personal herb garden, create more to give to family and friends, or start your very first plants using sage cuttings from a friend or the grocery store.
Will Russian sage spread?
Spacing: Space Russian sage 24” apart at planting time to allow for the eventual wide growth of the plant. Russian sage is a slow grower and does not spread, creating a woody structure of stems at the base of the plant.
Should Russian sage be cut back?
Follow these steps to prune Russian Sage while dormant: Cut back all growth from the past season to healthy buds, within 6-8 inches from the soil. Remove any dead branches as well as broken or damaged wood. Remove any skinny twigs incapable of supporting strong new branches next season.
Does Russian sage repel mosquitoes?
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.
How long does it take for Russian sage cuttings to root?
Roots will form within two to four weeks. When the roots are a few inches long, you can transplant your new Russian sage plants into larger pots or the garden.
Is Russian sage hard to transplant?
Transplanting established Russian sage can be tricky. Dig a large perimeter around the plant, taking as much soil and root system with you as you can. The plant will likely go into shock after transplanting and could take a few months to come out of it. The best time to move Russian sage is in early spring.
How do you break up Russian sage?
Lift the clump of Russian sage from the ground, and shake the plant gently to remove excess soil. Divide the clump into smaller sections, teasing the roots apart carefully with your fingers. Each division should be large enough to have four or five shoots, and each shoot should have several healthy roots.
What is Russian Sage used for?
Garden uses: With its open, airy nature, Russian sage is an excellent filler, enhancing whatever it’s planted with and providing cool contrast to boldly colored plants. Plant it in mass to amplify the purple pyrotechnics.
How tall is a Russian Sage?
One of the tallest Russian sages, growing to about 4 feet.
When do sage plants bloom?
Bloom Time: Mid-summer to early fall. This new variety will flower the first year from seed if sown in early spring. Given the right conditions, the fast-growing seeds will germinate in just a few days. Forms a densely branched, bushy plant that bears an abundance of small blue flowers on strong, silvery stems.
Where is the Perovskia native to?
Despite the common name, it is native to western China, Afghanistan, and Tibet. The Russian connection is to the genus name Perovskia, which honors l9th-century Russian general V.A. Perovsky.
Is Russian Sage toxic?
Although the leaves may smell like those of culinary garden sage ( Salvia officinalis ), Russian sage is technically not a sage. The aromatic leaves emit a light herbal scent when crushed, and as noted above, are toxic if consumed. However, they can be dried and used in potpourris.
Can blue steel be grown from seed?
Although some varieties can be grown from seed, they are harder to find and can take a long time to germinate. Unless you have a lot of patience, look for cultivars that will bloom the first year when grown from seed, such as ‘Blue Steel’.
Is Russian Sage a perennial?
Russian sage is at the top of the list of those fuss-free garden perennials that you simply buy, plant, and enjoy . Just give them full sun and well-drained soil, then sit back and delight in their tranquil beauty. This resilient plant has become a mainstay in the summer garden, both for its good looks and undemanding nature.
What type of soil does Russian Sage prefer?
Part sun conditions will cause the plant to become leggier and flop over. Soil: Russian sage is a terrific choice for poorer soils that are on the rocky side. It does well in alkaline conditions (pH > 7) and does not tolerate boggy, acid soils.
What is the best plant to grow with Russian Sage?
), globe thistle ( Echinops ritro) or tall verbena ( Verbena bonariensis ).
How long does Russian Sage bloom?
Its long clusters of lavender blooms have been known to last up to fifteen weeks in some gardens, and ten weeks is easily achieved with this aromatic woody perennial that starts blooming with ...
When should I plant Russian Sage?
Russian Sage can be planted in either the early spring or late fall. 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. Light: Full sun is recommended for Russian sage.
When to take stem cuttings from Russian Sage?
If you wish to propagate new plants, either take stem cuttings from shoots in spring or semi-ripe cuttings with a heel in summer; or look for little offsets at the base of the plant and using clippers and a trowel, remove them and replant. Pests & Disease: There are no major disease or pest problems for Russian sage.
Is Russian Sage a pollinator?
It’s a pollinator-magnet and a perfect plant for those areas of poorer soil in your garden.
Can I plant Russian Sage in a gravel garden?
Just make sure to allow plenty of room for expansion, as Russian sage loves to stretch its long arms in the garden.
How to root a woody cutting?
Make a fresh cut on the bottom end if the woody cutting, immediately dip it in water and then into rooting hormone powder so that the bottom inch or so is coated. Quickly and carefully push the bottom end of the cutting into loose potting soil. Compact the soil lightly around the cutting to brace it and water in well.
How to keep a cutting from germination?
Place your seed pots and cuttings in a brightly lit and humid environment that is protected from wind and from cold temperatures below 55 or 60 degrees. Keep the soil evenly moist to support germination checking on it daily as dry out, particularly for cutting can lead to a high failure rate.
Is Russian Sage good for infertile soil?
Tip. Russian sage is well adapted to infertile soils so applying chemical fertilizers is not warranted or even desirable as most plain garden soil will already supply more nutrients than the sage is ordinarily accustomed to.
Is Russian Sage hardy?
Happily thriving in less than ideal soil conditions and climates, Russian sage is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 and requires very little maintenance for performance save light watering and occasional pruning for shape and size. As a woody flowering perennial, Russian sage can be propagated by cuttings as well as by seed.
Does Russian Sage attract bees?
Russian sage attracts bees, so you may want to keep that in mind when choosing a site in which to grow it. Russian sage, known botanically as Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a flowering perennial sub-shrub that throws spires of lavender to blue flowers in the summer and fall.
How to keep Russian Sage from spreading?
Russian sage will spread by seed and underground stems, forming a large colony over time. Remove spent flowers stalks to prevent spreading by seed.
Is Russian Sage a shrub?
The highly aromatic leaves are gray-green and covered by a soft, downy fuzz. Russian sage is a very resilient, easy to grow plant. It also attracts honey bees.
Does Russian Sage have flowers?
The flowers are very attractive and add late summer color to the landscape. It combines with ornamental grasses and flowers very well. Although it grows from a central crown for the first few years, Russian sage will form a large colony over time through underground stems.
What is Russian Sage?
The Russian sage plant is well-known to the gardening community for its beautiful lavender-blue flowers that bloom atop a shiny silver stem that grows matching leaves that can be so silvery and chalky they look nearly white.
How to Grow Russian Sage in a Few Simple Steps
Because these sub-shrubs are so durable, planting them, growing them, and maintaining them is a relatively simple process.
Russian Sage FAQs
People have many questions regarding Russian sage, how to grow it, and how to maintain it. Here are a few of the frequently asked ones and some answers to help you better understand this beautiful plant.
What are Nodes?
Nodes are where the leaves and branches form on a plant and so the internode is the area between the nodes. Many plants will form roots only at that node and so if you take cuttings of those plants your cuttings need to be taken just below the node.
Success in Propagating Russian Sage
The video below uses the same cuttings from the video above. You can see the results and learn what I think of sand vs. seed starting mix as a rooting soil medium.
After Rooting Russian Sage Care
Once the Russian sage cuttings root you want to get them into a potting mix so that the nutrients in the soil will help feed the plant. If I were to leave them too long in the sand medium I use for cuttings the new plants would eventually fail.
Why I Love Russian Sage in the Garden
Russian sage has a lot of extremely good properties that make it worth planting in the garden. It is obviously and attractive plant. The purple/blue flowers that emerge on tall spires are very attractive and can be planted well with a number of plants. It goes well with roses, coreopsis, verbena, and many other perennials.
A Couple Additional Tips on Russian Sage Propagation
While taking cuttings carry a water jar with you. Put the freshly taken cuttings in the jar while you gather other cuttings. This will help reduce water loss until you have several cuttings collected to stick.
Best Growing Conditions for Russian Sage
Russian sage is a tough perennial that can thrive in tough places. The one thing I have noticed that you need to avoid are excessively damp conditions. Too much moisture may cause rotting in the roots and death to the plant. A well drained location in full sun is ideal for Russian sage.
Russian Sage Varieties
There are many varieties of Russian sage ( Perovskia atriplicifolia) you can pick for your garden. Here’s a short list of a few you may want to research and plant in your garden: Blue Jean, Blue Spires, Blue Steel, CrazyBlue, Lacey Blue, Little Spires, Longin, Peek-a-Blue, and ‘Rocketman.’
Where does Russian Sage grow?
Russian sage is native to Central Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tibet where it can grow at elevations of up to 8,000 feet.
How to keep Russian Sage from flopping?
To prevent flopping while young, the plant can be staked or planted in close proximity to other plants that will support it. Russian sage must be planted in soil with good drainage and aeration, as the plant’s roots will rot if the soil is too wet.
What plants compliment Russian Sage?
There are many plants that make good compliments to Russian sage including white phlox, black-eyed Susan, and coreopsis. Dark green foliage also makes a great contrast and blends nicely with other silver-leafed plants.
What is the color of the Russian Sage?
Russian sage, or perovskia atriplicifolia, is a late summer blooming plant that has gray-green leaves and silverfish-gray stems that creates a burst of vibrant color in a garden at the end of the summer. Its tiny purple-blue flowers cover the plant’s long stems with elegant tubular flowers.
Is Russian Sage poisonous?
Dangers of Russian Sage. Because this plant is not related to the edible sage varieties, it should not be used in cooking or eaten in any matter because of its poisonous leaves. The effect on each person can vary greatly depending on your body’s individual reaction, but generally it is not considered toxic. Handling the plant has been known ...
