Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

Family:	Labiatae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - Himalayas to China.

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 6and is quite resiliant to frost.
Russian Sage will flower in March to April. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Russian Sage will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Russian Sage prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Russian Sage should not be planted in shady areas.

Open rocky places[187]. Freely draining gravels and screes[200].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be used as a hedge

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich well-drained dry soil and a sunny position[1, 11, 187, 190, 200]. Tolerates light shade but plants become more lax in habit in such a situation[200]. Succeeds in poor soils and, once established, tolerates drought[190]. Tolerant of dry chalk soils, it also succeeds in maritime gardens[200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c, though the stems are often cut back by hard frosts[200]. A very ornamental plant[1]. In cultivation people often cut the plants to the ground in the spring in order to encourage strong new growth and plenty of flowers[190, 200, 233]. Plants rarely produce seed in Britain[200]. The crushed leaves are very aromatic[190]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
The small lavender flowers have a sweet flavour and can be eaten in salads or used as a garnish[177, 183].

• Flowers -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant is used as a cooling medicine in the treatment of fevers[240].

• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of softwood in late spring in a frame[200]. Easy[200]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm long with a heel, July/August in a cold frame[200].

Scented parts of the plants

Leaves : Crushed

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

This species is suitable for forming an internal decorative hedge of moderate height[200].

• Hedge - Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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