Perovskia Blue Spire (Russian Sage)
Award-winning Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ is an erect multi-stemmed, deciduous sub-shrub with fuzzy clusters of small violet-blue flowers, borne on thin white stems, clad with finely-dissected, aromatic gray-green leaves. Blooming for weeks from mid-summer to fall, this delicate-looking plant is a toughy that is resistant to drought, heat, pests and poor soils.
Award-winning Perovskia 'Blue Spire' is an erect multi-stemmed, deciduous sub-shrub with fuzzy clusters of small violet-blue flowers, borne on thin white stems, clad with finely-dissected, aromatic gray-green leaves. Blooming for weeks from mid-summer to fall, this delicate-looking plant is a toughy that is resistant to drought, heat, pests and poor soils. Pretty and excellent for xeriscaping, its long blooming season, makes it an extremely valuable addition to the garden – even in winter when the stems create a beautiful feature in the landscape.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Typically grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
- Performs best in full sun, in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Drought and salt tolerant.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Deer and rabbit resistant.
- Attracts scores of pollinating bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Russian Sage looks stunning in dry landscapes with other desert plants, in cottage or Mediterranean gardens, whether planted as singles or in clusters to intensify its presence, or even in a linear mass for knot gardens or small divider hedges. It associates wonderfully with other gray-leaved plants such as Lavender and contrasts beautifully with the bright colors of Echinacea (Coneflower), Helenium (Sneezeweed) and clump-forming grasses.
- Cut back plants almost to the ground in late winter to early spring as soon as new growth appears.
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Perovskia atriplicifolia is native to Central Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc.) and Tibet at elevations to 8,000 ft.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4 – 9 |
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Heat Zones | 6 – 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Perovskia – Russian Sages |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid,Late)Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 36″ (90cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Salt |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |