Russian sage 'Little Spire'

Questions about Russian sage 'Little Spire'

Does Russian sage 'Little Spire' need sun or shade?

Russian sage 'Little Spire' grows in full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun a day).

It wants dry, sharply drained soil, on the lean side, with no feeding, and little watering once settled. Once settled in, it stands drought.

What zones does Russian sage 'Little Spire' grow in?

USDA zones 4 to 9. It is hardy to zone 4, which means it survives winter nights down to about −20 °F (−29 °C).

Gardening in Canada? Use the USDA zone for your town: Canada's own zone map uses different numbers.

When does Russian sage 'Little Spire' flower in my zone?

In zone 5 it flowers mid July to mid September. As a summer flower it moves about half a week for every zone: earlier where it is warmer.

Worked out from Hopkins' bioclimatic law: spring arrives about four days later for each degree of latitude north, and one zone is roughly two degrees. A warm spring or a cold one moves any garden two weeks either way.

How far apart should Russian sage 'Little Spire' be planted?

24 in (60 cm) apart, from the middle of one plant to the middle of the next. That is about its full width, so each plant keeps its own outline.

It grows 2½ ft (75 cm) tall. Give it the full distance from anything taller, or it will lean out towards the light.

How many Russian sage 'Little Spire' plants do I need?

At 24 in apart, set out in staggered rows:

• 3 to fill 10 square feet (about 1 m²)
• 6 for a single row 10 ft (3 m) long
• 10 to fill a 4 × 8 ft bed on its own

In a mixed border, plant it as a group of three or five, with a second group further along in the other number.

In the bed above, the planner used three in one group.

Is Russian sage 'Little Spire' poisonous to dogs and cats?

No toxicity is recorded for dogs, cats, horses or people, according to NC State Extension.

"Not toxic" is not "edible": a pet that eats a lot of any plant can be sick.

Is there a native plant like Russian sage 'Little Spire'?

Russian sage 'Little Spire' comes from Southwest to Central Asia. These North American natives come closest to doing its job:

• Texas hummingbird mint: the same job in a bed and the same flowering time; 8 in narrower, pink, not lavender.
• Autumn sage: the same job in a bed and the same size; flowers mid May to mid October, red, pink or white, not lavender.
• Ironweed 'Iron Butterfly': the same job in a bed and the same size; flowers late August to early October, purple, not lavender.

Matched the way the planner's Swap button matches plants: the same job in a bed, then size, then flowering time.

Do deer eat Russian sage 'Little Spire'?

Mostly not. NC State lists it as resistant to deer and rabbits. No plant is proof against a hungry deer in a hard winter, but this one is low on the menu.

What flowers after Russian sage 'Little Spire'?

Russian sage 'Little Spire' is over by mid September. These start as it finishes and carry the same spot on, so it never goes flat:

• Garden chrysanthemum: from mid September to late October, 24 in tall.
• Montauk daisy: from mid September to late October, 3 ft tall.
• October daphne: from mid September to late October, 8 in tall, to stand in front of it and cover its fading stems.

What does Russian sage 'Little Spire' look like in winter?

Russian sage 'Little Spire' dies down to the ground and there is nothing to see until spring. The old stems can be cut in autumn, or left until spring as shelter for overwintering insects.

Is Russian sage 'Little Spire' good for bees and butterflies?

Russian sage 'Little Spire' is visited by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.