Leave plants intact in the autumn so that you can enjoy their winter presence. Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a handsome sub-shrub that reaches its peak performance towards the end of summer and into early autumn, when it produces masses of lavender-coloured flowers held on branching, aromatic stems. This is a … Cut them back hard to the new shoots at the base in early to mid-April every year. Trim whole stems if you are harvesting larger amounts of sage. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Growing Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), Missouri Botanical Garden: Perovskia Atriplicifolia, Missouri Botanical Garden: Perovskia Atriplicifolia "Little Spire", Missouri Botanical Garden: Perovskia "Filigran", Missouri Botanical Garden: Perovskia "Longin", Bespoke Spices: Russian Sage - Attractive With Edible Flowers But Not a True Sage. This striking silhouette, about 120cm (4ft) high, will persist throughout winter and several grouped together (or arranged in a convoy) will glow in low winter light. These twiggier cornus only need tidying up in spring: you should never prune them severely. Propagate Russian sage by taking cuttings in May or June from the softwood, or the current year’s newest growth, using sterilized shears. In fact taking hardwood cuttings may prove more reliable than from softwood cuttings. Printer Friendly Version. There are, however, still many Russian sage uses. Scented geraniums took twenty-six days to root vigorously; an oregano (Origanum ¥ majoricum) took about as long, but the roots were weak and sparse.Fruit sage (S. dorisiana) took nearly four weeks.The two lavenders I tried, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Tucker’s Early Purple’ and L. a. The Russian soldiers may well have used the plant as a medicine to treat fevers, as the local people still do today. Russian sage will root from hardwood cuttings as well. It produces lots of stems from ground level and these can be cut back hard in late spring to encourage vibrant new growth. It will also grow well incoastal gardens. 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Perovskias can be planted in sunny, open borders among lavenders, salvias and artemisias. Cuttings root easily from pieces that have been pulled away from the main plant in summer. Select roots from the base of the shrub that are about 1/4 inch in diameter, and use a sharp pruning knife to cut them away. Perovskia Perovskia. Collect Russian sage seeds from the desiccating seed heads at the end of the bloom cycle. The dark echinacea cones look even more dramatic seen against the silver-white skeletons. After the sage has grown new shoots and leaves in spring, you can use the fresh sage leaves for a sage tea, or to flavour meals. Cotswold Garden Flowers, Sands Lane, Badsey, Worcestershire (01386 833849;cgf.net). To harvest sage in bulk, it is more efficient to remove full stems with the leaves still attached. He described it as being “worth a place in the choicest garden for its graceful habit and long season of beauty.” Notcutt’s named and launched ‘Blue Spire’ in the early 1960s, and this superior form, which is widely available, is thought to be a hybrid of P. abrotanoides and P. atriplicifolia. Allow the planted stems to become established in a greenhouse or similar humid environment until they are ready for transplanting, Featuring clouds of tiny light blue flowers on spikes and finely dissected, fragrant, gray-green leaves, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) works well for perennial borders, mixed borders, wildlife gardens and other landscape areas. If your plants tend to flop during the summer you can cut them a second time. We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. Anthony Smith began writing for Demand Studios in May of 2009 and has since written over 1400 articles for them. A guide to growing Russian Sage Credit ... Cuttings root easily from pieces that have been pulled away from the main plant in summer. Its two-lipped, tubular flowers appear in summer through fall. You can then enjoy three months of flower, followed by six months of pale winter sculpture. The plant received its informal name because its foliage gives off a strong sage-like scent when it is crushed. Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ will provide a bonfire of orange and red twigs to enhance the cool white perovskia stems. Now the lavenders ( Lavandula 'High Five Purple') are an evergreen perennial, so they don't die down so they're a … Some herbs were less successful. Russian sage scientifically known as Perovskia atriplicifolia is a deciduous woody shrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Russian sage is a tough perennial that can thrive in tough places. Semi-hardwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings, Softwood cuttings. ... UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Treat the freshly cut stems with rooting hormone and plant them in containers with a rich mix of potting soil. I’ll continue with both methods at the appropriate times of the year but the hardwood cuttings have not had any trouble with rotting or … The genus sage is the most species-rich genus of the family – you will find around 800 different species worldwide. When summer's blue flowers fade, Russian sage continues to stand tall in warm climates and add vertical interest to garden beds. This perennial will last for many years in your garden and if you have a shrub and would like to renew it after 3-4 years, the best is to grow new plants from cuttings. Nov 12, 2013 - I have confirmed an earlier suspicion, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is indeed easy to propagate from hardwood cuttings. ‘Sibirica’ has plain green-leaves, ‘Spaethii” has golden variegated leaves and ‘Aurea’ starts off gold and matures to green. Plan your propagation of Russian sage for the late winter or early spring. Plunge into horticultural sand or a half-and-half mixture of compost and sand. How to take herb cuttings Fill a pot with your compost mix and firm gently leaving a 1cm (1/2in) gap between the top of the compost and the pot. He attended the University of New Mexico, and has more than 25 years of experience in the business world. This bush produces panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers throughout the summer. Characteristics of the meadow sage Plant. Prune the plants back halfway once they reach 12 inches. Perovskia 'Blue Spire', Russian sage 'Blue Spire', Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire', Perovskia hybrida 'Blue Spire' Genus. It produces blooms from early spring into the fall that often attract butterflies. It has fragrant leaves and it blooms from mid-summer season to the fall. The stem you’re going to take should be around 4–5 inches (10–13 cm) long. Cut stems about 3–5 inches (7.6–12.7 cm) below their tips. It can seem daunting at first, but once you get the hang of pruning Russian sage, your plants will grow stronger and fuller—and stage a prettier flower show. Pruning is not part of Russian sage propagation, although taking tip cuttings might qualify as a … If you would like to introduce Russian sage to your landscape, aim for around early spring, or wait until early summer to do it another way. The summer-green perennial grows upright and is about 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 in) high. It is best to grow Russian sage from cuttings or from plants bought at a garden center. Growing Sage from cuttings. Hardy (H4) ... Russian sage 'Rocketman' Genus. It is a good plant for fall color in the garden, to use for dried or cut flowers, or to attract butterflies. Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’, a dogwood with shiny olive-green stems, would also make a fine backdrop. Sampford Shrubs, Sampford Peverell, Tiverton, Devon (01884 821164;samshrub.co.uk). Take root cuttings from an existing plant. For winter effect, grow perovskia in front of red-stemmed dogwoods to create a sharp mixture of red and silver-white. All Rights Reserved. The plant is native to central Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tibet and grown as a landscaping plant in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9 This article was last updated on 04/29/20. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! The best time for the multiplication of sage is from July until late summer. Cut your Russian sage back to about 4 inches above the ground. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) grows as a perennial with woody stems in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. This will keep the plant compact and make it long-lived. ... Sampford … Russian sage is a perennial plant that can easily be transplanted to a well-draining soil location with proper care. Best Growing Conditions for Russian Sage. Place the cutting in some prepared potting soil and keep it moist. Ken Thompson investigates, The Gardener's Advent Calendar: 24 easy jobs to do in December, Peat compost is 'environmental vandalism', Monty Don says, 10 lesser-known plants that won’t let you down, Gardens on film: how the magic happens behind the scenes, The story behind The Wardian Case: the simple device that launched a thousand coffee plantations, Don't be afraid of ivy - it's a good plant in the right place, says garden expert Helen Yemm, Gardening in November: what to plant and tidy in your garden this month, Why I hate leaf blowers – the noisy and polluting tool of insect Armageddon. Although it looks as though it will tolerate very hot, dry positions and is invariably presented as a drought-tolerant plant, my own experiences with P. atriplicifolia tell me otherwise. Perovskia atriplicifolia, also known as Russian sage, is actually neither Russian nor a sage, but it is a garden perennial that can be used as a filler plant. Wear gloves when moving, as the leaves may irritate skin. Carefully dig around roots, starting one foot away from the plant base. The lemon-yellow daisies of Anthemis ‘Tetworth’, dark penstemons and rich-purple verbenas (such as V. rigida and V. bonariensis) will also set off the blue flowers. Although commonly known as Russian sage, the seven known species of this plant are not native to Russia but grow in an area stretching from Iran to India on open, well-drained, rock-strewn ground. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. As a woody flowering perennial, Russian sage can be propagated by cuttings as well as by seed. Propagate Russian sage plants by dividing the clumps or taking cuttings in spring. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or heel cuttings in spring ; Rosemary can be layered or mound-layered in summer; Sage (Salvia officinalis) Take heel cuttings or 15cm (6in) softwood cuttings in early summer ; Simple layering after flowering is successful as is mound layering in spring ; Sow seeds in spring and cover them with perlite. However, many gardeners have found that dividing Russian sage actually harms the root systems … How to grow sage – taking sage cuttings Annual and biennial sages are easy to grow from seed in spring. There is no other plant that conjures up such an enduring white skeleton of finely branched verticals. You can also dry complete stalks of the Russian sage plant for use in dried flower arrangements. The plant should not bloom. Perovskia atriplicifolia, also known as Russian sage, is actually neither Russian nor a sage, but it is a garden perennial that can be used as a filler plant. The fine, crowded stems of the plant offer shelter to beneficial insects as well. Allow the planted stems to become established in a greenhouse or similar humid environment until they are ready for transplanting. An open, sunny, airy situation in well-drained ordinary soil is also critical for this plant, so that it will develop a stiff, clean-cut skeleton. Russian sage works well as a perennial border and in mixed borders that include perennials, bulbs, shrubs, evergreens and other plants When paired with evergreens, the plant's blue flowers create an interesting color contrast. Not to be outdone by its flowers, the plant's stems and foliage make a strong statement of their own, perhaps even outstrippi… Pot up in the following spring. Never feed it — this will only encourage it to flop. If you want more of the perfumy sage in your garden, a multiplication via cuttings is best. Place the cutting in some prepared potting soil and keep it moist. WHEN AND HOW TO GROW SAGE FROM CUTTINGS As far as when to take sage cuttings there are two answers. He also writes for "The College Baseball Newsletter." This encourages new growth and a fresh flush of flowers. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. P. atriplicifolia was introduced into Britain in 1904 and quickly won favour with William Robinson (1838-1935), the eminent Irish gardener and writer who was friendly with Gertrude Jekyll. For a natural look, plant your Russian sage in odd-numbered groups of three, five or seven plants. Perovskia atriplicifolia, also known as Russian sage, is actually neither Russian nor a sage, but it is a garden perennial that can be used as a filler plant. You can take cuttings from your sage plant whenever you want as long as you’re not trimming it heavily. New growth comes each year from a woody base, and flowering is on the new growth. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. For this reason alone it is worth planting P. atriplicifolia in a place where it can shine. For the absolute best chance of success the best time is around mid-June, however cuttings taken starting from the first week of May to early July stand almost as good a chance of success and will allow the leaves to be harvested earlier. The meadow sage (Salvia pratensis) is a wild shrub of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Start them off indoors ready to plant out after the last frost has passed. Pluck or cut off the seed heads intact holding them over a piece of paper or flexible surface and funnel into a resealable plastic bag or other small airtight container until planting. Once the plants have established themselves, they may be transplanted to an area with well-drained soil and full sunlight. Make your cutting about four to six inches, and slice just below a leaf node. Russian sage is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant shrub, making it a great choice for xeriscaping. Russian sage "Filigran" (Perovskia "Filigran") grows 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, featuring lacy silvery foliage, which looks decorative in an ornamental border. I have found that it fails in very dry, hot spots on poor soil and prefers ordinary well-drained ground, especially gritty alluvial loam. Tackle Russian sage pruning with confidence. You could also try twiggy-stemmed dogwoods, which have lots of tiny stems radiating from a single trunk. Allow to grow in the pots until the autumn then plant the young Russian Sage plants about 60 to 90 cm apart into a well drained sunny part of the garden. The plant was named after V A Perovski, a Russian general who was famous for leading his army into Afghanistan during the winter of 1837 and probably saw it growing on his campaign trail. Their stiff vertical shape can be useful with late-season prairie planting — among echinaceas for instance. This is quite easy. Dividing the clumps every four to six years reinvigorates the plants and helps to control their spread. Russian sage belongs to a class of shrubs called subshrubs. Strip the bottom two inches of the cutting of foliage. Move Russian sage immediately, preventing dry roots. Grasp the stems with your thumb and forefinger and use sharp scissors or gardening shears to make each cut. Take a 3-5 inch cutting from a stem or branchs, dip in rooting hormone and then place in a loose planting medium and covered with a clear cover. Its long blooming period is valued by those who seek a flower bed that remains in bloom throughout the growing season. Branches will turn into hardwood in the fall and those branches can be used to make cuttings over the winter. I have seen magnificent specimens thriving in the Vale of Evesham and close to the River Severn and it seems that, like many other plants of high altitude, perovskia needs a cool root run. Perovskia Perovskia. Select roots from the base of the shrub that are about 1/4 inch in diameter, and use a sharp pruning knife to cut them away. Featuring clouds of tiny light blue flowers on spikes and finely dissected, fragrant, gray-green leaves, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) works well for perennial borders, mixed borders, wildlife gardens and other landscape areas. If growing from cuttings, take the cuttings in spring or early summer and plant them in pots under glass. There are green, golden and variegated forms of Cornus alba, a robust red-stemmed dogwood that suckers. Cut away some stems from a Russian sage in the early summer to propagate another way. Russian sage is a 3 to 5-foot tall perennial with purplish blue flowers and silver foliage. Take root cuttings from an existing plant. Thanks for your patience. It is treated as a perennial but is really a subshrub. True-blue flowers are hard to come by, even more so late in the year when that crystal-clear autumnal light dramatises every colour. It’s also preferable to take them in the morning so that they don’t wilt quickly. The Russian Sage is best to be done when it shoots away - early in spring. Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’ provides a rare infusion of violet-blue from late summer into October, and the spires of bee-friendly flowers are softened by finely cut aromatic leaves set on a branching silver-white frame. Because Russian sage plants can grow quite bushy and large, it would seem that using a root dividing technique would be the quickest and easiest way to propagate. Then place it in a bright spot out of direct sunlight and in a few weeks it should be rooted. 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Environment until they are ready for transplanting join the RHS today and get 12 months for the winter. Just below a leaf node growing from cuttings or from plants bought at a center... Compost and sand than the other varieties them a second time to flop perovskias can useful. With late-season prairie planting — among echinaceas for instance salvias and artemisias echinaceas for instance flop during summer. The fall that often attract butterflies pulled away from the main plant in summer Perovskia in front of dogwoods! Perennial but is really a subshrub sage – taking sage cuttings Annual and biennial sages are to. Flowering is on the new growth a tough perennial that can easily be to. With woody stems in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9 produces! Many Russian russian sage cuttings uk from cuttings as well as by seed or from plants bought a... Been pulled away from the main plant in summer months of pale winter sculpture hardiness zones 4 through.! 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Will keep the plant base really a subshrub insects as well, salvias artemisias.

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