Meet the Russian Sage
Russian Sage | Salvia yangii
How do you know it’s me?:
I am an herbaceous perennial with a woody base.
I have an upright form. My stems are stiff and square in shape.
My leaves are opposite, and often finely toothed. They are fuzzy and have a strong scent when crushed.
Both my leaves and stems are a grey-green color.
My small, tube-shaped flowers grow on panicles at the ends of my stems. The outer layer of my flowers is also hairy.
How big do I grow?: 2’ - 4’ height and spread.
Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun.
Where I prefer to put my roots: Well-drained soils that are occasionally dry. I am very drought tolerant and dislike poorly drained soils.
Hardiness: Zone 5-9
Original home: I am native to southwestern and central Asia.
Colors: Flowers in shades of blue and purple.
When I bloom: Summer into fall.
Wildlife friends: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to my flowers.
Flora Fun Facts: My previous Latin name was Perovskia atriplicifolia, but was changed to Salvia just a few years ago when DNA testing revealed that I am a “true” sage (when previously thought to be different).
More Info: This is a light, airy plant that loves a hot, dry site where it can diffuse its sage-y scent into the air. Its silvery stems remain through the winter months to add some color to the garden. A great filler plant!
A member of the mint family (Lamiaceae).
To stimulate growth, cut back stems in winter to early spring to several inches above the ground.
This is a great selection for intermixing with ornamental grasses, in a rock or sensory garden, or on a green roof.
This plant has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In many Asian countries, it has been used to treat diabetes, fever, and scabies.
