Lavender is also common, but it won’t grow well in Florida. Try Russian sage for a similar look. If you enjoy edible plants, try planting fig, citrus, persimmon, or oregano.
Full Answer
Is Russian sage a hardy plant?
Learning how to grow Russian sage plants is easy, as is Russian sage care. It prefers very dry conditions, making it an ideal plant for xeriscaping. Russian sage is hardy in USDA plant hardiness Zones 5 through 10.
When to Plant Russian sage?
They are fast growers and are best planted in late spring when the soil is warm but the weather is not too hot and dry. If you plant later, water frequently to keep the plants from drying out. Russian sage is a tough plant that needs little care.
Do bees like Russian sage plants?
This bush produces panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers from June through September, allowing us to group it loosely with the long-blooming perennials. The plant has fragrant foliage. Russian sage plants attract hummingbirds and honey bees. They are also plants that attract butterflies.
How much sun does a Russian sage need?
Light: Full sun is recommended for Russian sage. Part sun conditions will cause the plant to become leggier and flop over. Soil: Russian sage is a terrific choice for poorer soils that are on the rocky side. It does well in alkaline conditions (pH > 7) and does not tolerate boggy, acid soils.
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Does sage grow well in Florida?
Answer: You can grow common, heat-loving herbs well in Florida. These include basil, lavender, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme. The only potential caveat is that these popular herbs are Mediterranean and don't like excessive moisture.
Where does Russian sage grow best?
full sunRussian sage needs full sun to perform its best. Give it a little shade, and plants tend to flop open as stems stretch for sunlight. Choose a location with hot, intense sun, even as hot as the space between sidewalk and street or a strip along a driveway. Russian sage likes sun and heat.
Is Russian sage heat tolerant?
Russian sage has good heat and drought tolerance, making it suitable for waterwise landscapes. This versatile perennial plant is useful as filler in a mixed border and can also be planted as hedging, massed in the landscape, or in containers.
What kind of sage grows in Florida?
Florida gardeners will generally find three native Salvia species available. Scarlet or Tropical sage (Salvia coccinea) is the most commonly available and occurs throughout the state (with the exception of the Keys) in areas with moist, well-drained soils.
Does Russian sage repel mosquitoes?
Both Russian Sage and Lemon Verbena are known for cooking, but they have distinct smells that keep mosquitoes away. Lavender is also popular, especially for indoors, but Gaskins said it also serves as a repellent.
What is the lifespan of Russian sage?
Russian Sage loves to live in well-drained soil and does not handle humidity very well. It must be pruned about a month after planting if starting with a mature plant and can live for three years, though its purple blooming buds that resemble the well-known Lavender plant only last about four total months.
Does Russian sage come back every year?
Russian Sage Plant Description Russian sage belongs to a class of shrubs called subshrubs. New growth comes each year from a woody base, and flowering is on the new growth. Remove the old growth, which usually dies back in winter, in early spring.
What looks good next to Russian sage?
Cheat Sheet. Russian sage attracts butterflies and bees and is dramatic as an unsung cut flower. Combines perfectly with other low water plants like lavender, sedum, and ornamental grasses, even pairs nicely with bold leafed succulents like large agaves and aloes.
Do hummingbirds like Russian sage?
Russian sage is a hummingbird's favorite because of the multitude of blooms and the shape of the flowers. It produces a nice fragrance that can attract humans too! This plant blooms mid to late summer and provides food for the hummingbirds during that time.
Is sage a perennial in Florida?
Known by many names — Scarlet sage, Red salvia, Blood sage — Tropical sage (Salvia coccinea) is a versatile perennial wildflower and a steadfast addition to any wildflower garden. No pollinator can resist its bright red flowers, but it is particularly attractive to bees, large butterflies and hummingbirds.
Does Purple sage grow in Florida?
Salvias always make a statement in a Southwest Florida garden. They come in multiple colors — red, blue, yellow, pink, purple and more — and they can withstand our summer heat and sun.
Is sage native to Florida?
Scarlet salvia, a perennial native to Florida, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies with its rich red tubular flowers (sometimes pink or white) that appear from spring through fall.
Does Russian sage come back every year?
Russian Sage Plant Description Russian sage belongs to a class of shrubs called subshrubs. New growth comes each year from a woody base, and flowering is on the new growth. Remove the old growth, which usually dies back in winter, in early spring.
Is Russian sage invasive?
Though it isn't a native plant, it is not invasive and will stay where you plant it for many years – as long as you give it the well-drained conditions it needs.
Do hummingbirds like Russian sage?
Russian sage is a hummingbird's favorite because of the multitude of blooms and the shape of the flowers. It produces a nice fragrance that can attract humans too! This plant blooms mid to late summer and provides food for the hummingbirds during that time.
Does Russian sage survive winter?
A sturdy perennial herb, Russian sage easily survives the mild Northern California climate with proper fall care and light protection against winter chill. The bluish-lavender blooms appear in autumn, attracting butterflies and honeybees to the garden.
How to grow Russian Sage?
Choose a location with very well-drained soil of average fertility in full sun. Growing Russian sage in partly shaded locations may cause the plants to sprawl. Set out new plants in early spring , spacing them 2 to 3 feet (0.5-1 m.) apart. Water the plants occasionally during dry spells until they are established and growing.
What is Russian Sage?
Admired for its silvery gray, fragrant foliage as much as its lavender-purple flowers, Russian sage ( Perovskia atriplicifolia ) makes a bold statement in the garden. The abundant, spiky clusters of flowers bloom from late spring until autumn, almost completely obscuring the leaves. Use Russian sage as a ground cover for open areas or as a specimen plant. Learning how to grow Russian sage plants is easy, as is Russian sage care. It prefers very dry conditions, making it an ideal plant for xeriscaping.
Can you grow Russian Sage in open areas?
Use Russian sage as a ground cover for open areas or as a specimen plant. Learning how to grow Russian sage plants is easy, as is Russian sage care. It prefers very dry conditions, making it an ideal plant for xeriscaping.
What is the best plant to grow with Russian Sage?
), globe thistle ( Echinops ritro) or tall verbena ( Verbena bonariensis ).
What type of soil does Russian Sage prefer?
Part sun conditions will cause the plant to become leggier and flop over. Soil: Russian sage is a terrific choice for poorer soils that are on the rocky side. It does well in alkaline conditions (pH > 7) and does not tolerate boggy, acid soils.
What is Blue Jean Baby's PP#29281?
Blue Jean Baby' Russian Sage PP#29281 is a compact selection of Russian Sage that gives you beautiful lavender-blue spires of late-summer color with a more manageable size in the lan...
How long does Russian Sage bloom?
Its long clusters of lavender blooms have been known to last up to fifteen weeks in some gardens, and ten weeks is easily achieved with this aromatic woody perennial that starts blooming with ...
What color is Russian Sage?
Russian Sage delivers tall, airy spires of lavender-blue color on highly-textured silver-gray foliage to the landscape. A robust plant, Russian Sage performs beautifully in hot, dry ...
What is Russian Sage used for?
It is used topically in alternative medicine as a fever reducer, and as a tea.
When to take stem cuttings from Russian Sage?
If you wish to propagate new plants, either take stem cuttings from shoots in spring or semi-ripe cuttings with a heel in summer; or look for little offsets at the base of the plant and using clippers and a trowel, remove them and replant. Pests & Disease: There are no major disease or pest problems for Russian sage.
How tall is a Russian Sage?
One of the tallest Russian sages, growing to about 4 feet.
How long does Russian Sage last?
Barely reaching knee height, this dwarf Russian Sage is ideal for small gardens or displaying at the front of the border. Despite its shorter stature, it boasts exceptionally large lavender-blue flowers that go on for months, lasting well into fall.
What is Russian Sage used for?
Garden uses: With its open, airy nature, Russian sage is an excellent filler, enhancing whatever it’s planted with and providing cool contrast to boldly colored plants. Plant it in mass to amplify the purple pyrotechnics.
How big do sage plants get?
2 to 4 feet tall & wide, depending on variety; newer cultivars grow in the 2-1/2-foot range
When do sage plants bloom?
Bloom Time: Mid-summer to early fall. This new variety will flower the first year from seed if sown in early spring. Given the right conditions, the fast-growing seeds will germinate in just a few days. Forms a densely branched, bushy plant that bears an abundance of small blue flowers on strong, silvery stems.
Where is the Perovskia native to?
Despite the common name, it is native to western China, Afghanistan, and Tibet. The Russian connection is to the genus name Perovskia, which honors l9th-century Russian general V.A. Perovsky.
When do sassafras flower?
This new variety will flower the first year from seed if sown in early spring. Given the right conditions, the fast-growing seeds will germinate in just a few days. Forms a densely branched, bushy plant that bears an abundance of small blue flowers on strong, silvery stems.
When to give Russian Sage potted plants?
If you live in the northern reaches of that climate range , you may need to offer potted Russian sage a bit of extra protection during the winter months.
Can you grow Russian Sage in containers?
Russian sage ( Perovskia) is a woody, sun-loving perennial that looks spectacular in mass plantings or along a border. If you’re short on space or you need a little something to fancy up a deck or patio, you can definitely grow Rus sian sage in containers. Sound good?
Is it better to grow Russian Sage in a pot or a pot?
When it comes to growing Russian sage in containers, bigger is definitely better because a large pot provides ample space for the roots to develop. Russian sage is a tall plant, so use a pot with a sturdy base.
Where does Russian Sage grow?
Russian sage is native to Central Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tibet where it can grow at elevations of up to 8,000 feet.
What is the color of the Russian Sage?
Russian sage, or perovskia atriplicifolia, is a late summer blooming plant that has gray-green leaves and silverfish-gray stems that creates a burst of vibrant color in a garden at the end of the summer. Its tiny purple-blue flowers cover the plant’s long stems with elegant tubular flowers.
How to keep Russian Sage from flopping?
To prevent flopping while young, the plant can be staked or planted in close proximity to other plants that will support it. Russian sage must be planted in soil with good drainage and aeration, as the plant’s roots will rot if the soil is too wet.
What plants compliment Russian Sage?
There are many plants that make good compliments to Russian sage including white phlox, black-eyed Susan, and coreopsis. Dark green foliage also makes a great contrast and blends nicely with other silver-leafed plants.
Is Russian Sage poisonous?
Dangers of Russian Sage. Because this plant is not related to the edible sage varieties, it should not be used in cooking or eaten in any matter because of its poisonous leaves. The effect on each person can vary greatly depending on your body’s individual reaction, but generally it is not considered toxic. Handling the plant has been known ...
1. Daylilies
The trumpet-like blooms of the daylily last for a single day but are quickly replaced by new flowers throughout the summer into the fall.
2. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans produce beautiful blooms with a yellow to orange hue complimented by brown centers.
3. Yarrow
Long woody stems support the daisy-like flowers of the yarrow plant. The yarrow plant needs full sun and rich, well-draining soil to thrive.
4. Sweet William
The sweet feather-like flowers of the Sweet William provide lovely splashes of color and scent in the summer garden.
5. Coreopsis
The cheerful yellow daisy-type flowers of the coreopsis are highly attractive to butterflies and bees.
6. Phlox
With its dome-shaped flowers on top of sentry-style upright stems, phlox accentuates the garden border with military precision and gorgeous color.
7. Red Salvia
With similar growth habits to that of Russian sage, red salvia is an excellent companion plant. It prefers six to eight hours of full sun each day and moist but free-draining soil conditions.
