Perovskia Little Spire Rooted Cutting Liner

Perovskia Little Spire (also known as Compact Russian Sage) is a perennial landscape plant native to the Himalayas and Western China, in spite of its name. A Russian botanist named it after Russian count Vasily Alekseevich Perovski and for the sage-like aroma released when the leaves are crushed. Little Spire has an upright open habit, more compact than Perovskia Russian Sage, reaching only 20-24 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide. Its more compact habit means it won't flop over. Little Spire is most commonly used along fence lines or borders, in containers, and in small cutting gardens. It pairs well with Phlox, Gaillardia, Black-Eyed Susan, Lantana, and Butterfly Bush and is an excellent addition to butterfly gardens. Little Spire resembles lavender in look, but is hardier in colder climates. Its lavender-blue flowers bloom on silver-green foliage June-frost, offering a longer season than the larger Perovskia Russian Sage variety. It is drought tolerant, pest and disease resistant, and attracts pollinators.

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Little Spire Selling Tips

Sell Little Spire to your customers who want a large, visually attractive, low-maintenance perennial for smaller garden spaces. Homeowners with small landscape space may want large low-maintenance perennials to balance smaller perennials and annuals in landscape applications. Like Perovskia Russian Sage, Little Spire offers numerous benefits in a variety of landscape scenarios, while maintaining a more compact, upright habit at 2 feet tall and 18-24 inches wide. It blooms June-first frost with lavender-blue flowers that attract pollinators, provide a dense, colorful background or foreground for smaller landscapes, and make wonderful cut or dried bouquets. Little Spire also does well in containers. It thrives in dry conditions with average soil in full sun and is susceptible to no insect or disease problems. In colder climates, Little Spire is a great alternative to less hardy lavendar, and requires minimal ongoing care. For a larger variety, offer Perovskia Russian Sage.

Coach your customer:

1. Plant 18-24 inches apart in well-drained soil in full sun.
2. Cut back by 6 inches in late winter/early spring at the first signs of new growth. Watch for underground spreading and remove suckers to maintain spacing--or allow to spread in mass plantings.
3. Water regularly and deeply during the first season to help establish a healthy root system. Do not allow the soil to remain drenched. Russian Sage does best in a dry, sunny spot, and may suffer from root rot if exposed to excessive moisture.

General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner

For best results with Little Spire, use well-drained soil in full sun with a pH of 5.8-6.2 and no fertilizer. Plant one starter plant per 4-inch pot. We recommend spacing pots 5-7 inches apart for airflow and light penetration. No diseases or pests affect Perovskia Little Spire. It is extremely drought tolerant, but may do poorly if its roots stay wet. Allow soil to dry between waterings.

Flowering

Little Spire blooms from June-first frost. Cut back by 6 inches in late winter/early spring at the first signs of new growth to increase flowering for next season.

Pinching

Russian Sage may be cut back by half when it reaches 12 inches. This will encourage denser growth and a more compact habit.

Spacing

Space small containers 5-7 inches apart for airflow and light penetration. Larger containers will require more space.

Height Control

Plant in full sun and cut back in spring to keep plant dense rather than leggy. Try Perovskia Russian Sage for a taller variety.

Pests

No major pests affect Little Spire.

Disease

No major diseases affect this plant, though in overly moist conditions it may be susceptible to root rot. To prevent this, do not overwater and plant in a well-drained soil in full sun.

Planting Little Spire Liners

1. Plant one starter plant per 4-inch pot. Place plant in the middle of your pot and completely cover the ellepot in well-drained soil.
2. For larger containers step up 4-inch pots that didn't sell during the current season.
3. Do not pinch until the plant is established and has grown to around 12 inches tall

Rooted Cuttings

Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.

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Perovskia Little Spire Quick Reference Guide

4 Inch crop time	10-12 Weeks
Bloom Period	Summer
Color	Lavender Blue
Habit	Upright
Height	18-24 Inches
Light	Full Sun
Minimum Temp	60
Perennial Zone	5-9
Water Needs	Light
Patented Plant	No