Today's hours: 9:00am-7:00pm

Get Directions

Your Cart

0 items

July 12, 2009

Russian Sage

The plant is as graceful as its botanical name is unpronounceable. With an upright growth habit Russian Sage produces a slightly woody, almost shrub-like look, with attractive grey leaves.

Perennial of the Week: Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian Sage
Oh, and did I mention its sweet, sweet fragrance?

I tend to get excited about Russian Sage – after all, where can one find a perennial that gets up to four feet tall, features huge clusters of airy blue flowers, is super hardy to Minnesota, attracts butterflies, is drought tolerant and blooms from late June into fall?

Perovskia is neither Russian nor a sage…

Native to Afghanistan and Tibet, Russian Sage was named for Russian general V.A. Perovsky.

  • The plant is as graceful as its botanical name is unpronounceable. With an upright growth habit Russian Sage produces a slightly woody, almost shrub-like look, with attractive grey leaves.
  • This spectacularly performing perennial does great in hot dry locations and, once established, can go without water for some time.
  • Russian Sage is remarkably unbothered by pests or diseases and is markedly deer resistant.
  • Good companion plants include Black-eyed Susans, sedums, ornamental grasses, coneflowers and Joe Pye weed. In my garden I have several three year old Russian Sage plants providing the backdrop for Rudbeckia ‘Goldstrum’ and groundcover sedum, creating a killer look that blooms mid-summer.

Sunnyside is featuring store-grown Russian Sage in large 2 gallon pots for an instant and established addition your garden. Russian Sage is THE ideal late-season perennial garden filler!

Other Garden Tips

garden july care

Summer Garden Care: Stay Cool and Thriving

Your garden is likely in full swing—and now’s the time to give it a little summer love to keep it looking great through the heat.

Learn More
shade perennial garden, garden inspiration

Designing a Dreamy Shade Perennial Garden

Shade gardens are not just beautiful—they’re often easier to maintain, gentler on the eyes, and full of surprises.

Learn More
home and garden, garden decor, outdoor living, garden center

Red, White & Bloom: Effortless Patriotic Planters for Summer Hosting

Summer hosting should be beautiful, simple, and a little bit bold—just like your favorite outdoor spaces.

Learn More