Russian Sage

A lovely plant with year-round interest, Perovskia atriplicifolia Blue Spire is a medium-sized, deciduous sub-shrub with an upright, bushy habit. Small, aromatic, toothed grey-green leaves are borne on silvery-white stems, which look wonderful in low winter sunshine after the leaves have fallen. In August and September, tall silver-grey flower-stems bear small, violet-blue, flowers like little velvet bobbles, a lovely contrast to the hot colours of late perennials and grasses. Tolerates seaside air and chalky soils, looks well in Mediterranean plantings, and is at its best in groups or drifts. Cut back stems to the main framework in February. Russian sage holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit, and is good for pollinators.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any light, well drained, not-too-fertile soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: All year, late summer in particular
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 4’ (1.2m) Spread: 3’3” (1m)