Russian sage

Questions about Russian sage

Does Russian sage need sun or shade?

Russian sage 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 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 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 be planted?

3 ft (90 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 4 ft (120 cm) tall. Give it the full distance from anything taller, or it will lean out towards the light.

How many Russian sage plants do I need?

At 3 ft apart, set out in staggered rows:

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

In a mixed border, plant it as one, with clear ground around it: a feature plant is seen as an object, and a group of them is a thicket.

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

Is Russian sage 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?

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

• Willowleaf sunflower 'First Light': the same job in a bed; 6 in narrower, flowers mid September to mid October.
• Hardy hibiscus: the same job in a bed and the same flowering time; 12 in taller, red, pink or white, not lavender.
• White false indigo: the same job in a bed and the same size; flowers late May to late June, white, 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?

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.

Will Russian sage spread?

It spreads sideways, by runners or roots; the risk of it taking over is moderate. Can spread by runners and self-seed in loose soil. Compact cultivars are better behaved.

What flowers after Russian sage?

Russian sage 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, to stand in front of it and cover its fading stems.
• Montauk daisy: from mid September to late October, 3 ft tall, to stand in front of it and cover its fading stems.
• New England aster: from early September to mid October, 4 ft tall.

What does Russian sage look like in winter?

Russian sage dies down, but it is grown for silver stems for winter, so leave it standing until early spring.

Is Russian sage good for bees and butterflies?

Russian sage is visited by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.