Description
Perovskia (Russian Sage) per-OFF-skee-uh
Russian sage is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant sub-shrub often grown as a perennial. Extremely tolerant of dry conditions, it is a great choice for xeriscaping. It’s long blooming period is valued by those who seek a flower bed that remains in bloom throughout the growing season. Russian sage is found in Asia in the mountains of Tibet and Afghanistan. This bush produces panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers throughout the summer and into fall. Not to be outdone by it’s flowers, the plant’s stems and foliage make a strong statement of their own, perhaps even outstripping the floral display as the chief reason to grow the bush, A graceful perennial with silver stems (so chalky in appearance they sometimes seem to be white) and feathery, silvery leaves, Russian sage plants can reach a height of four to five feet with a spread of three feet or greater if you do not prune them annually.