Common Name: Russian sage
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Height: 2.75 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 2.50 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to frost
Bloom Description: Lavender-blue
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Fragrant
Tolerate: Rabbit, Deer, Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Air Pollution
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Sharp soil drainage is especially important. Avoid wet, poorly drained soils. Plants have good drought tolerance. Best flowering occurs in full sun locations. Stems are more likely to flop if plants are grown in part shade. Cut back plants almost to the ground in late winter to early spring as soon as new growth appears.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Perovskia is a genus of 7 species of deciduous shrubs from Central Asia to the Himalayas. They are grown for their attractive foliage and flowers.
'Blue Jean Baby' is a compact, hybrid Russian sage selection that features dense, upright branches topped with 20" tall panicles of lavender-blue flowers. The fragrant, finely lobed leaves will reach 2-2.75" long and 1.5-0.75" wide. Mature clumps will reach up to 3' tall with an equal spread. US plant patent number PP29281 applies to this cultivar.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Plants tend to sprawl or flop as the summer progresses, but perhaps less so than the somewhat taller species plants.
'Denim 'n Lace' is generally more upright growing than the species.
Uses
Mass or specimen in borders. Silver gray-green foliage and deep blue flowers provide good texture, color and contrast to many other summer blooming plants.