Russian Sage
Brief Description
The Russian Sage is a colorful shrub that fits perfectly in any landscape in greater Prescott. Its spike-like clusters have beautiful flowers near the top. They are very low maintenance and drought tolerant.
Origin
Central Asian & Tibet
Description
Common Name – Russian Sage
Botanical Name – Salvia Yangii
Plant Type – Deciduous
Mature Size – 3 to 5 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide
Sun Exposure – Full Sun
Bloom Time – Summer
Flower Color – Many Different Colors
Hardiness Zone – 4 to 9
Planting
Planting is based on space availability. Make sure the Russian Sage won’t grow into other plants and nothing will grow into it. It thrives in a full-sun location. Give it average water when it’s young, then move the emitters away from the trunk as it matures.
Care
The Russian Sage is very low maintenance. Since it has rhizomes (sends out roots & shoots, thus increasing growth), you may have to trim out new growth if they’re in the way. Besides the rhizomes, when it comes out of dormancy in Spring, then trim it to 6 inches tall. This will encourage robust new growth and awesome flowers! Keep in mind that it’s drought tolerant, so make sure it’s not getting too much water.
Flowers
The flowers are in various blue & purple hues and have tubular flower blooms with 12 to 15 inch flower clusters.
Varieties
The ‘Denim ‘n’ Lace’ is one of the most popular due to its sky-blue flowers. The ‘Crazy Blue’ will be shorter than the ‘Denim ‘n’ Lace’ but beautiful violet-blue flowers make this Sage really pop!
Invasive
The Russian Sage is not invasive. But as we mentioned earlier, because it has rhizomes, you may need to trim the new growth if it’s encroaching in unwanted territory.
For other shrubs that are perfectly suited for Greater Prescott, read about the Red Yucca here.
Lastly, we highly recommend Watter’s Garden Center, Mortimer Nursery, or Prescott Valley Nursery as great places to both purchase shrubs & trees but to also ask questions because these are the experts.