This bush produces panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers throughout the summer and into fall. Russian sage does tend to spread more when you cut it down to the ground rather than just pruning the branches back to fresh growth. The poor plant was bombarded with poop. Wed, May 24, 2006 8:30 PM. This semi-woody shrub hails from Afghanistan and is drought tolerant and disease resistant. But they are very hardy, and cutting them down to the ground shouldnt hurt them. Russian Sage Taking Over Garden - Russian sage is taking over my garden. The easiest and most common way to propagate Russian Sage is through division or cuttings in the spring. The tiny, purple-blue, tubular flowers are arranged in whorls along long stems. 'Blue Spire' has deep purple flowers with more deeply lobed leaves. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. When young, the plants tend to flop over. My others are still fairly small. How Do You Stop Russian Sage from Spreading? Loosen soil in the planting area and dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. I told you pruning Russian sage would be easy. Rodeo Herbicide. They keep coming back. Encyclopedia of Invasive Species; Susan L. Woodward, et al. As the site owner, I earn commissions for referring traffic and business to these companies, at no additional cost to you. Can I use Roundup in new growths or will it kill main plant? Its also important to know that Russian sage wont grow back at the tips of the plant after the winter, and the branches die back towards the bottom of the plant. See more, I have no idea why birds insist to habitat on my front porch. This helps the plant overwinter successfully. The hole is not very deep, and I replanted it onc Container plants need more frequent watering. I've declared war on my Russian Sage because it won't stay put. Something is mushroom shaped growth at the base of my Russian sage. No, you should not cut down Russian sage. You are on the right track in digging it up. Choose 'Superba' for a more intense flower color of violet-blue. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I just got my Russian Sage this spring! During the summer, it produces cloudy lavender flowers that appear over fifteen weeks. Plants shouldn't be pruned in the fall, since this could encourage early growth that is susceptible to frost damage, advises Arbor Valley Nursery. If you are planting them outdoors, they will grow more vigorously if theyre placed in the sun. All necessary for Pest Control https://amzn.to/2rLU5CG-----How to Kill Russian Sage. Spring Hill Nurseries Blue Jean Baby Russian Sage Perennial Plant in 1-Pack Bareroot. Russian sage belongs to a class of shrubs called subshrubs. Shady conditions tend to make the plant leggy and prone to collapse. Understanding the conflict one year on. Denver Master Gardeners Replied March 26, 2019, 4:11 PM EDT I wanted to know if anyone could suggest a few types of flowering trees, medium HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. You can pull it up by the roots, or cut it down at the base. Follow these steps and space plants 2-3 feet apart. Russian sage stems are woody, and can be pretty thick in spots, so I recommend using pruning shears for the job. The cultivars most often offered in the nursery trade include: Many gardeners, even in regions where the plant is evergreen, choose to severely prune Russian sage annually. I love the low maintenance of this plant in https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/seeds/seed-stratification.htm, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. I love the low maintenance of this plant in my dry soil. The best time to plant is late spring when the soil is warm and the weather is not too hot. Overall, Russian Sage isnt an invasive shrub. As a perennial plant, Russian sage does not need a lot of water once it is established. Plants prefer deep soil to establish a strong root system. Wait until a dry day when wind is minimal. Many thanks for the Russian Sage info its just what I was looking for as I only planted them this year and our winter in the UK is fast approaching so I was wondering how to deal with the plants when winter arrives. Help! It does well in full, hot sun, has few insect predators and can survive in poor soil. Method 2: Prune it for shape With this method, you can use hedge shears or an electric hedge trimmer to shape your Russian sage bush to a nice rounded form. Plus there are three pruning techniques you can choose from. You can however collect seeds. It will tolerate many soil types as long as it doesn't become waterlogged. Here are some links to help you. Cut back the dead plant growth to about 6 inches or so from the ground. Click on links below to jump to that question. New growth comes each year from a woody base, and flowering is on the new growth. Hand digging every new sprout is the least toxic method of removing them. The stem is woody and extremely hard to cut through. 2023 myheartliveshere | All rights Reserved. I thought maybe a rabbit was burrowing in my yard, but it's almost dead center of my lawn (not a very smart rabbit). You can use this technique every year to make pruning easier if you want, it wont hurt the plant. If youre planting Russian sage in a garden, you can use a combination of grit and organic matter to improve the soil. However, if you leave the stems standing over the winter, leaves will collect around the base of the plant. Before we start, I want to mention that there are different types of Russian sage plants. If you have a lot of runners, it may be easier to just dig up the entire plant. Now i When the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into larger pots for continued growth. I have several clumps that have never performed the way I expected them to. Academic resources now list Russian sage as Salvia yangiialthough the old botanical name persists, especially in the nursery trade. Russian sage will not grow well in excessively wet, poorly-draining soil.. Using a herbicide will kill the main plant, likely and the risk of accidental exposure to other plants is high. I would try watering more often to see if it recovers. Try to make the cut as close to the leaves as you can, any part of the dead branch that is sticking out will be there all summer. Don't worry about a lack of flowers until the plant is fully two years old. And in cold-winter zones where the plant dies back each year, hard pruning is mandatory. Share your tips for pruning Russian sage in the comments section below. After the stems have been cut back to 8 to 12 inches, begin watching for new growth in spring, which will usually be evident by mid-spring. For limited space gardens or containers, 'Little Spire' grows to 2 feet tall with erect growth. Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension. Method 3: Wait for new growth before pruning it This is my preferred method, but its also the most tedious. Thats the best way to keep it in control. Read full disclosure. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/russian-sage-flowers/russian-sage-care.htm. Potted plants will require this every couple of years. New growth comes each year from a woody base, and flowering is on the new growth. Outside of annual pruning, Russian sage needs little maintenance. But that's a bad old idea," WP's Katrina vanden Heuvel, WP, 08.09.22. I thought maybe a rabbit was burrowing in my yard, but it's almost dead center of my lawn (not a very smart rabbit). Last was on my hanging fern. I want to kill all my Russian Sage but not my Pines or Maple trees near it. But, the best time for pruning Russian sage is in the spring. Perovskiaatriplicifolia. When the flower sepals turn brown and dry, the tiny seeds are about 1/32 " in diameter. Gardeners in zones 3 and 4 should not be surprised if a Russian sage fails to return after an especially harsh winter. A more reliable method is to propagate through basal cuttings. Its long, slender stems and slender leaves will add drama to your garden. TIA. If you don't prune Russian sage, the plant will become very overgrown and woody, which doesn't look very nice. Cultivars vary in flower color and growth form. Thanks Paul. New transplants need regular watering, but once established, Russian sage is very drought-tolerant. Bev. At most, you might provide a light layer of compost in the spring. Russian sage is a graceful perennial with feathery silver leaves. Blooming from midsummer into fall, it attracts butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. If your Russian sage leaves have already started growing, then use methods 2 or 3 instead, and wait until next spring to cut it all the way back. You can cut it back all the way down to the ground, prune it for shape, or wait for new growth before pruning it (which is the method I like to use, see the step-by-step instructions below). To prevent it from becoming invasive, consider using a container. (4 Options), The Grow Bag Size Chart For Vegetables (2023), 6 Stihl Trimmer Head Problems: Causes and Quick Fixes, 6 Common Husqvarna 572XP Problems: Causes and Fixes, 7 Husqvarna T435 Problems: Causes and Quick Fixes. Expert gardening advice straight to your inbox! A tough, vigorous perennial, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) has a reputation for thriving where no other plants will grow. Remove the old growth, which usually dies back in winter, in early spring. The best time to plant is late spring when the soil is warm and the weather is not too hot. Russian sage is a fast grower that is best planted as a nursery-grown container plant in the late spring when the soil is warm but before the weather is too hot and dry. Step 3: Remove any dead branches If you find dead branches that dont have any new leaves on them, you can cut those down to the ground. These aromatic plants tend to repel most common insects, and the only significant disease is root rot which can occur if the plants are growing in wet, poorly draining soil. What should I do? It sounds to me like your Russian sage isnt getting enough water. The lavender panicles of flowers are quite decorative. If you prefer, you can prune your plant while its still dormant. I have a fewinvasive Annyone know the source for 4'x8' Russian birch plywood? See more. This plant is different from the sage typically used as a culinary seasoning (Salvia officinalis). One option is to bury the entire pot up to its rim for the winter. How to Care for a Potted Freesia After Blooming, Missouri Botanical Garden: Perovskia atriplicifolia, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space, Life Expectancy of the Kangaroo Paw Flower. This is called stratification. If you dig it up, make sure to get all the roots so that it doesnt grow back. If you want your Russian sage to stop spreading, then I recommend digging up the runners that it sends out below the ground. I agree with all above. Yes, if you prune the tips, it will make your Russian sage branch out more. It goes from a hazy, pale blue to a jubilant azure. All varieties should receive the same pruning care as the species plant. This is not a problem, but staking them is a good idea. It is a great addition to your landscape. You can also subscribe without commenting. Using a sharp knife or trowel, cut away one of the growing stems along the edges of the root ball, making sure to capture a healthy section of roots along with the growing stem. Hummm, Im not sure what that could be. You dont have to be very careful here, if you cut too low on the plant, its not going to hurt it. If you cut it down, make sure to cut it as close to the ground as possible. The plant can grow to four feet in height with a three-foot spread. Wait until spring to cut back this plant. Now i Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA, 13 Reasons to Rush Outside and Collect An Armful of Pine Cones. The Propagation of Hardy Perennials. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a semi-woody ground. Can I take some plant shoots from the spring pruning and grow a couple new plants? If youre growing Russian sage plant (Perovskia atriplicifolia) in your garden, then you know how bad they can look after the winter. If you have a large shrub, you can use hedge shears or an electric hedge trimmer to make pruning easier. Wear protective clothing, such as goggles, long pants and long-sleeve shirt. Depending on the cultivar, some cultivars are protected from germination unless you have permission from the owner. Where suckers are aggressive, treat the ground area with herbicide. So, Ive included step-by-step instructions for how to cut back Russian sage using this method below. The source for 4'x8 ' Russian birch plywood slightly wider and deeper than the root ball plants is high flop... Limited space gardens or containers, 'Little Spire ' has deep purple flowers more. Source for 4'x8 ' Russian birch plywood more intense flower color of violet-blue might! It up, make sure to cut through Taking over my garden when wind is minimal my garden pruning. A semi-woody ground prune your plant while its still dormant is different from the owner tubular flowers are arranged whorls! 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Declared war on my Russian sage will not grow well in full, hot sun, has few insect and...