PerennialsPerovskia atriplicifolia
Russian Sage
Russian Sage is a graceful sub-shrub with silvery-grey aromatic foliage and airy lavender-blue flower plumes from July to September. The plant can reach 150 cm and gives borders a hazy, ethereal quality. Russian Sage is highly drought-tolerant and thrives on poor, dry soil.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Height
- 90–150 cm
- Spread
- 60–90 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 5–9
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- blue, lavender
- Wildlife value
- bees, butterflies
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in full sun in well-drained, preferably alkaline soil. Avoid overly moist sites — the plant rots quickly there. Water only during prolonged drought. Feeding is unnecessary and actually leads to floppy growth.
Pruning tips
Prune all stems back to 15-20 cm above ground in early spring once the first buds appear. Do not cut back in autumn — the dry stems protect the plant from frost.
Good companions
ShrubsLavandula angustifolia
English Lavender
Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.
PerennialsEchinacea purpurea
Purple Coneflower
Purple Coneflower is a sturdy perennial with distinctive pink-purple petals surrounding an orange-brown cone. The flowers appear from July to September and are a magnet for butterflies and bees. In autumn and winter, the seed heads attract goldfinches and other seed-eating birds.
PerennialsSedum spectabile
Stonecrop
Stonecrop is a succulent perennial with thick, grey-green leaves and flat pink flower heads from August to October. The plant is extremely drought-tolerant and attracts large numbers of butterflies and bees in late summer. The dried flower heads provide striking winter interest.