Blooms in midsummer with elegant slender spires of lavender-blue tubular flowers. Finely divided grey-green leaves are aromatic when crushed. Perovskia has one of the longest bloom times of any blue-flowered plant. Semi-woody shrub emerges slowly in spring; cut back after frost.
Tolerates drought, loves heat and full sun, can’t bear standing water. Likes to spread out once it gets established, and it is so beautiful it deserves every foot of space it can get! Plant 24-36" apart. I suspect that Zone 4 reports of winterkill are from poor drainage rather than cold, so a cautious Z4. (bare-root crowns)
Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered
on or before March 7 will ship around March 26
through late April, starting with warmer areas and finishing in
colder areas. Orders placed after March 7 will
ship around late April through early-to-mid May, in the order in
which they were received.
ships in spring
7718
Russian Sage
Additional Information
Herbaceous Perennial Plants
When you receive your order, open the bags and check the stock immediately. Roots and crowns should be firm and pliable. Surface mold is harmless and will not affect the plant’s future performance. Store plants in their packaging in a cool (35–40°) location until you are ready to plant. If it’s going to be awhile, you can pot up your perennials.
Do not plant bare-root perennial plant crowns directly outdoors before danger of frost has passed. Wet and/or cold conditions for an extended period may cause rotting.
Planting Bare-root Perennials
After danger of freezing has passed:
Dig a hole 2 or 3 times bigger than the plant stock.
Add a little compost if needed.
Fan or spread out the roots to encourage root development.
Fill hole with soil, pressing out air pockets as you go.
Keep the planting area free of weeds.
Mulch around the crown with straw or wood chips.
Avoid applying mulch directly on top of crowns as they could rot.
Mark the location with a plant label.
Check your plants daily in the first 2 weeks after planting!
If you cannot plant right away, you have two options:
Store bags of bare-root plants in a dark and cool (35–40Ëš) place.
Pot up plants in well-drained slightly moist potting mix. Avoid coiling the roots in the bottom of undersized containers. Set pots in a protected spot in part-shade until you’re ready to plant.
