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Some Sage Advice
Written By: Jeannie Chambers - The Accidental Gardener | Issue:
Russian Sage is a member of the mint family, and her real name is Perovskia atriplicfolia.
In the 1840s, Russian botanist Karelin named the plant after B.A.Perovski from Turkestan, the governor of the Russian province Orenburg. Despite its name, Russian sage has no other ties to Russia and despite its looks and some characteristics, nor is it a sage. This plant resembles Sage (Salvia), Lavender and Veronica. One might say this plant is like the great pretender, but having sage attached to your name translates to wisdom.
This perennial plant blooms from late spring to first frost. Very hardy, the leaves are a silvery gray, with lavender colored flowers that grow upward in spires. It tends to sway sideways like a drunkard if not trimmed, but it always reaches for the sun, and it loves sun. It must be in a well-drained area, and is just as happy among rocks, and other tough places to grow as it is in a cottage garden.
Russian Sage grows in clumps and can be mulched with gravel to help with drainage. At the end of the growing season, you should leave the stalks for winter interest and when the new growth starts to show leaves in the spring, cut the old growth to the height of the new leaves. Every three-to-four years, you can share a clump with your friends.
Russian Sage is a good mosquito repellent, and rabbits and deer aren’t too fond of it either. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees love it though, so it’s a great plant for pollinating. The flowers can be eaten in salads, and they’ve also been used for ages in dye making and, in later years, dried and crushed for cosmetics. Another good thing about this plant is its tendency to rid the soil of heavy toxic metals.
So, here’s some sage advice, Russian Sage is far from being the great pretender – she’s the real deal, and a good friend to have in your garden.
