Grow Russian Sage Plants for Fall Color

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When Do Russian Sage Plants Bloom?

Perovrocketman Cjw15, russian sage — Rocketman Russian sage’s upright growth shoots toward the sky.

Fall often brings mixed emotions for gardeners. While there’s still plenty to do, sometimes it’s hard not to wish that summer’s colors lasted a little longer. In some cases, that’s the truth: Russian sage, a popular pick for pollinators, keeps its gorgeous blooms from midsummer through mid-fall. Here’s what you should know about adding this multi-season, hardy plant to your yard.

Russian Sage Care and Growing Tips

Russian Sage and Adobe Wall — Russian sage blooms through fall

Scientific name: Perovskia atriplicifolia
Growing zones: 5 to 9
Light needs: Full sun
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and nearly as wide
Grown for: Low-maintenance color in dry landscapes
Foliage: Gray-green leaves

This perennial packs oodles of color, with lavender and blue blooms that appear in July and thrive into October. The Russian sage plant’s lacy leaves sprout off woody stems; just plant it in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. To avoid having to stake, place the plant behind a sturdy companion to keep it upright. Prune plants back to 4 inches in late winter or early spring for more compact growth, or grow a compact variety.

Check out 10 purple perennials to plant for beauty each year.

Benefits of Growing Russian Sage

russian sage drought tolerant shrubs — Eastern tailed-blue butterfly on a Russian sage plant

Many classic hummingbird flowers conclude their growing season in late summer and early fall, but not Russian sage! Migrating hummingbirds need nectar sources to fuel their incredible journeys south, so encourage them to stop by and ﬁll up with this late-season bloomer.

As if the hummingbird benefits aren’t enough, this plant offers some sweet scents, too. One of the reasons we love it is that the fragrant foliage adds a bit of aromatherapy to spring garden cleanup. And finally, it’s a tried-and-true trooper; besides being deer- and rabbit-resistant, it tolerates heat, wind, drought and poor soil.

Cultivars to Try

Pwperovskia Denim N Lace — ‘Denim n’ Lace’

Blue Jean Baby features blue tones and shorter stalks, or enjoy Denim ’n Lace’s bright, purple-blue flowers for color well into autumn.

Sources

Originally Published: September 05, 2024

Author

Emily Hannemann

Emily Hannemann is the associate digital editor for Birds & Blooms. She holds a master's degree in magazine journalism from the University of Missouri - Columbia, as well as undergraduate degrees in journalism and English. In her spare time, she enjoys researching fun facts about corvids.

Reviewer

Melinda Myers

Melinda Myers is a nationally known, award-winning garden expert, speaker, TV/radio host and author of more than 20 books. She is the instructor for The Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD and Instant Video series and host of the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moments TV and Radio segments. With a master’s degree in horticulture and ...

Fact Checker

Kirsten Schrader

Now Birds & Blooms' content director, Kirsten has been writing about birding and gardening for 17 years. Her writing and editing roles have spanned the print and digital landscape. Although she has traveled to see amazing birds throughout the U.S., Kirsten has one dream bucket list bird—the male painted bunting.