Perovskia Russian Sage Rooted Cutting Liner

Perovskia Russian Sage (also known as Russian Sage Blue Spires or Perovskia Atriplicifolia) is a perennial landscape plant native to the Himalayas and Western China, in spite of its name. It was named by a Russian botanist after Vasily Alekseevich Perovski, the Russian count and general who governed Russian province Orenburg, and for the sage-like aroma released when the leaves are crushed. Russian Sage has an upright open habit, reaching 3-5 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide. It has a wide variety of landscape applications, including mass plantings, individual spots of color, in borders, and as dividing hedges. Russian Sage makes an excellent background for Phlox, Gaillardia, Black-Eyed Susan, Lantana, and Butterfly Bush. Russian Sage resembles lavendar in look, but is hardier in colder climates. Its lavender-blue flowers bloom on silver-green foliage July-October. It is drought tolerant, pest and disease resistant, and attracts pollinators. For smaller gardens, try the compact variety, Perovskia Little Spire.

---

Russian Sage Selling Tips

Sell Russian Sage to your customers who are looking to create a dynamic, visually interesting garden display, or a low-maintenance border or hedge. Homeowners often look for large, low maintenance perennials to balance smaller perennials and annuals in landscape applications. Perovskia Russian Sage offers numerous benefits in a variety of landscape scenarios. It blooms July-October with lavender-blue flowers that attract pollinators, provide a tall, full, colorful background for large landscape borders, and make wonderful cut or dried bouquets. It thrives in dry conditions with average soil in full sun and is susceptible to no insect or disease problems. In colder climates, Russian Sage is a great alternative to less hardy lavendar, and requires minimal ongoing care. For smaller landscape situations, offer the more compact Perovskia Little Spire.

Coach your customer:

1. Plant in masses or individually at the back of front borders or as divider hedge along walkways or fence lines. Russian Sage Blue Spires also does well in large cut flower gardens. Space plants 18 inches apart. It can also be planted in containers in spring.
2. The plant may flop over because of its height. Stake to maintain a neat, upright appearance. Cut back to 6 inches above ground 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. Use well-drained soil and do not allow the soil to stay drenched. This plant does best in a dry, sunny spot.
4. Water deeply to encourage root growth that is lower in the soil. Let Perovskia completely dry between waterings.

General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner

For best results with Russian Sage, use well-drained soil in full sun with a pH of 5.8-6.5. Blue Spires doesn’t require 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 Russian Sage. It is extremely drought tolerant, but may do poorly if its roots stay wet.

Flowering

Russian Sage blooms July-October.

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 Little Spire for a more compact variety.

Pests

No major pests affect Russian Sage.

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 Russian Sage 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.

---

Perovskia Russian Sage Quick Reference Guide

4 Inch crop time	10-12 Weeks
Bloom Period	Summer
Color	Lavender Blue
Habit	Upright
Height	36 inches
Light	Full Sun
Minimum Temp	60
Perennial Zone	Zones 5-9
Water Needs	Light
Patented Plant	No