Grow Russian sage in any well-drained garden soil; the richer the soil, the more vigorously the plant will grow. Like many large plants, this one looks its best and performs best when it has room to spread out. It is impervious to pests and requires no maintenance except an annual pruning to 6 to 8 inches in late winter. In crowded situations it may require staking; this can be avoided by pinching out the growing tips of the main shoots in mid-June (three weeks earlier in the South).
Ignore the common name: Russian sage is not Russian at all, nor is it a sage (although it has a sagelike odor and belongs to the same family). It is, however, a superb plant with silvery gray foliage, clouds of lavender blossoms, and an enticing fragrance, all of which should win it a place in every sunny garden. It makes an excellent cut flower if cut when the flowers are young; however, the pungency may be somewhat overpowering in small, poorly ventilated rooms.
This plant’s graceful presence makes it welcome anywhere in the garden. Give Russian sage a place of honor in the mixed border or the rose garden, or use it to enliven ho-hum foundation plantings. To enjoy Russian sage’s fragrance and airy beauty all the more, be sure to plant some in a container on a patio, terrace, or deck.
ZONES: 5–9
BLOOM TIME: Mid- to late
LIGHT: Full sun
HEIGHT: 36–60 inches
INTEREST: An elegant, pungently fragrant, shrubby perennial with lavender blossoms and gray foliage