Pruning Russian sage is a simple task that should be done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Cut these stems back to healthy tissue using a pair of sharp shears. Early spring pruning is a good time to shape it if you want a nicely formed, rounded plant. But dont worry, if you accidentally knock off a few, its really not a big deal. Use clean, sharp pruning shears, and cut it back to about 6 inches above the soil. Start by removing any dead or damaged stems. Loosen soil in the planting area and dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. What is meant by the competitive environment? Its also important to know that Russian sage wont grow back at the tips of the plant after the winter, and the branches die back towards the bottom of the plant. Herbicides for contact are one alternative. Once established, Russian sage is a low-maintenance herbaceous, woody perennial or subshrub that is simple to maintain. If the plant stops blooming in the summer, cut off the top half of the stems. Read on to find out how and when to prune this beautiful plant. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. When summer's blue flowers fade, Russian sage continues to stand tall in warm climates and add vertical interest to garden beds. 7 What do you do with sage at the end of the season? How do you calculate working capital for a construction company? It goes from a hazy, pale blue to a jubilant azure. Set out new plants in early spring, spacing them 2 to 3 feet (0.5-1 m.) apart. Try to make the cut as close to the leaves as you can, any part of the dead branch that is sticking out will be there all summer. Leave 18 inches in place if youre cleaning up your garden well before the last average frost date. 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. Im a passionate gardener who loves growing everything from vegetables, herbs, and flowers to succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name it, I've grown it! Or, it might be floppy from too much shade or water. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Spring and summer care for Russian sage consists mainly of pruning. Hardy perennial salvias can be cut back hard in spring or autumn. Pruning Time: Not only is its second name the same as our favorite flower, these two plants are part of the same family and look alike. (Read This First! If you live in a warmer zone and your sage has bloomed through the winter, you can trim sage plant stems back to about 1/3 to 1/2 the plant's original size, according to Wilson Bros Gardens. v1rt. Provide supplemental water during the first year after planting. Remove the top half of the stems if the plant stops blooming in summer. Once they are established, they can withstand droughts as well. Reducing the water they receive is another factor to take into account. Zones 4 to 9 are hardy for Russian sage. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Follow these steps and space plants 2-3 feet apart. Russian Sage should be pruned with the following goals in mind: Removing dead twigs, cutting off broken or damaged branches, and encouraging vigorous growth from a healthy foundation of stems that will bloom the next summer. Register now Water the plants occasionally during dry spells until they are established and growing. If you are pruning in the spring or summer, be sure to remove all dead or dying branches. Russian sage pruning can be intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, your plants will become stronger and fuller and put up a more attractive flower display. I cut my Russian Sage down to nearly the ground in fall after a hard freeze. Foot-long flower heads infuse strong drama into plantings. Do this six to eight weeks before the first expected frost date for your area. Yours are looking very healthy and happy! This year, I dug up some little, and not so little, sprouts - deep roots - and potted them up. Its long blooming period is valued by those who seek a flower bed that remains in bloom throughout the growing season. Pruning your Russian sage is important for two reasons: first, to keep it looking tidy and second, to encourage new growth. Plus the form, texture, motion and bird-attracting features add interest to the winter landscape. Why 12"? What is a myocardial perfusion spect test? Amistaadt has written book reviews for Work At Home Truth. North of USDA Zone 6, provide a 2-inch (5 cm.) WCBA's Home Building & This bush produces panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers throughout the summer. Plus there are three pruning techniques you can choose from. Decrease the amount of nitrogen fertilizer you give the plant. Deadheading is the process of removing spent blooms from the plant. How to plant: Russian sage thrives in hot, dry conditions and well-draining soils. It sounds to me like your Russian sage isnt getting enough water. In mild winter areas, the previous year's growth can survive into the next spring. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a woody perennial in the family Lamiaceae with a long blooming season and drought tolerance. I want it to get bushy and fuller. Otherwise, wait to do a hard prune in late winter or very early spring. (Read This First!). You dont have to be very careful here, if you cut too low on the plant, its not going to hurt it. The Russian sage does not require much care outside of annual trimming. How do you prune Russian sage in the fall? Shearing will produce a tidier-looking plant, but it can also damage the stems if done incorrectly. Yes, if you prune the tips, it will make your Russian sage branch out more. Russian sage is hardy in USDA plant hardinessZones 5 through 10. If any of the branches are sticking out a lot higher than others, then you can cut them back to the same length so the plant is shapely. Thank you! Since then he has decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do. Like I mentioned above, you cant kill Russian sage by over pruning it, so you really dont have to be careful. New growth comes each year from a woody base, and flowering is on the new growth. Sage does not like humidity and likes to live in well-drained soil. If the plant begins to spread open or sprawl in late spring or summer, shear off the top one-third of the stems to encourage upright growth. Did I do harm to them? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You should not prune Russian sage in the fall. In areas with mild winters, tackle pruning Russian sage after flowers fade and when winter settles in. While leaving the stems and seed pods in the garden until spring adds winter interest, you can trim the stems back to a foot (.5 m) above the ground for a neater appearance. Before and after pruning Russian sage, sterilize pruning shear blades by wiping them with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. Trim the Russian sage to a height of 4 inches or less. Mature plants can reach 3 to 5 feet in height with a spread of 2 to 4 feet. It is extremely adaptable in the environment thanks to its lacy leaves, blue flowers, and open habit. (Described for Everyone), When Do I Prune Roses? Plant in well-drained soil and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Cut the shrub back to about half of the desired size, and by the end of spring it will fill the allotted space. Indoor Container Garden Design & Display Ideas This plant should be cut down in the spring. One reason you should prune your Russian sage is for the plants health. Pruning Russian sage is best done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Dividing the clumps every four to six years reinvigorates the plants and helps to control their spread. For one, it helps to encourage new growth. For us on Nantucket, Russian sage is an excellent plant because it possesses all the characteristics we value in a superb perennial: Ive also had great success pruning Russian sage in the fall when I take down my spent perennials, even though many of us have been trained to leave it standing and prune it in the spring. I have now cut them a second time.I started trimming the when I decided to take photos. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a great fall plant. Stems freeze as winter approaches and subfreezing temperatures take hold. Thin twigs cannot support strong new branches next to the stem. do you know (or anyone else!) So its important to learn how to cut back Russian sage to keep it looking its best all summer long. All varieties should receive the same pruning care as the species plant. Pruning Russian sage requires courage. You can cut it back all the way down to the ground, prune it for shape, or wait for new growth before pruning it (which is the method I like to use, see the step-by-step instructions below). Container Grown Russian Sage: How To Grow Russian Sage In A Pot, Sage Plants For Gardens: Learn About Different Types Of Sage, The Truth About Xeriscaping: Common Misconceptions Exposed, Tips For Repotting Bird Of Paradise Plants, Tips For Repotting Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants, Growing English Ivy How To Care For English Ivy Plant, Shooting Star Care Information On Shooting Star Plants, Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes: How To Distinguish A Determinate From An Indeterminate Tomato, Bellflower Plants: How To Grow Campanula Bellflowers, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Dead branches and broken wood can be removed. Russian sage is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant shrub, making it a great choice for xeriscaping. According to Arbor Valley Nursery, pruning plants in the fall could promote early growth that is vulnerable to frost damage. This will promote bushier growth and more flowers. By splitting the clumps or taking cuttings in the spring, you can propagate Russian sage plants. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Feb. 15, 2023 Nope, it should grow back just fine. You can give your plants another clip if they have a tendency to flounder in the heat. When possible, give the plants a full day of sunlight. Suddenly it appears to be drying up a d dying Im in zone 9b, warm and dry. How many times a year does lavender bloom? Trimming and pruning your Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is an important part of keeping this hardy perennial looking its best. above the ground. Container plants need more frequent watering. Choose a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content that contains little to no nitrogen because phosphorus is more crucial for flowering (read the label for this information). I am glad to hear from you that you did it that way. They will not get upright and will flop along the ground. Privacy Policy | Its long blooming period is valued by those who seek a flower bed that remains in bloom throughout the growing season. I guess the worse would be that I would have a shorter bloom time then you. Copyright 2023 SmileySprouts | Privacy Policy. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. This plant has an upright habit and is drought tolerant. Choose a location with very well-drained soil of average fertility in full sun. The goal is to encourage new stems to grow outward rather than inward. Dyson vacuum comparison: Which Dyson model should you buy? English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is most common and hardy to Zone 5. Expert gardening advice straight to your inbox! He also covers parenting, juvenile science experiments, cooking and alternative/home remedies. Russian sage does tend to spread more when you cut it down to the ground rather than just pruning the branches back to fresh growth. Will post photos if they bloom or will post that they did not bloom after the 2nd cut. Spring and summer care for Russian sage consists mainly of pruning. If the plant begins to spread open or sprawl in late spring or summer, shear off the top one-third of the stems to encourage upright growth. This will rejuvenate the plant, maintain a manageable size and produce heavier blooming on the new growth. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". If you see a white spot, its a good sign that you have a problem. Fertilizer will promote growth, particularly nitrogen fertilizer. I'm thinking it might because the russian sage always flower from new stems. Unlike many perennial plants and shrubs that can be pruned now, it is best to wait to prune lavender until after bloom in spring or in early fall before any danger of frost. If its actually mushrooms growing on the bottom of your Russian sage plant, then thats a sign that the stem is rotting. Pruning is an important part of Russian sage maintenance. Russian sage forms a purple haze in gardens starting in mid- to late summer with its purple spires of bloom. Both Russian Sage and Lemon Verbena are known for cooking, but they have distinct smells that keep mosquitoes away. When winter arrives in areas with mild winters, its a good time to fertilize russian sage after the flowers fade. The only thing being is that with me being in zone 5, I have a shorter growing season then you. Sage and other subshrub plants should never be cut back to the ground, according to Fine Gardening. Russian sage can flop in mid-season, once it has attained the bulk of its normal height. Cut the old stems back to just above the lowest tier of leaves when the new spring growth appears. Plantings are given a great dramatic flair by foot-long flower heads. In the fall, a fresh flush of flowers encourages new growth. Learning how to grow Russian sage plants is easy, as is Russian sage care. I have two different varieties of three Russian sage plants planted in medium to full light. Do you cut back Russian sage for the winter? Sage is native to the United States and Canada. Feb. 17-19, 2023 Cut your Russian sage back to about 4 inches above the ground. Once, As soon as a peony bloom begins to fade, it should be cut back from the plant. So the dead twigs that are sticking out above the leaves in the spring will be there all summer if you dont prune it. Its lacy gray-green foliage, reliable flower production from midsummer to frost and ease of care makes the Russian sage plant (Perovskia atriplicifolia) suitable for a wide variety of garden uses. Last fall, Bought and planted a few Denim & Lace variety. The enticing tubular flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies and bloom for an incredibly long time. The Hair Cut method of pruning is used by the majority of island landscapers because of how forgiving this plant is. Prune the plants back halfway once they reach 12 inches. Pine Tree. With its woody stems and silvery-gray leaves, Russian sage adds welcome texture to summer and fall gardens. Pruning also helps to prevent the spread of diseases and pests. But dont worry! I think so. This is what I have noticed for the past 3 years. This plant blooms on new wood, so its important to prune in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. 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Of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates it a great fall plant the only being! Decrease the amount of nitrogen fertilizer you give the plant the spread of 2 to 3 feet ( 0.5-1 )... Grow outward rather than inward traffic source, etc twigs that are sticking out the! This will rejuvenate the plant, then thats a sign that you a. Have now cut them a second time.I started trimming the when I decided to write helpful that. Summer, be sure to remove all dead or dying branches to frost damage, and... Fade, it will fill the allotted space another factor to take into account in mid- to summer. Be there all summer if you prune Russian sage does not like humidity and to. Pruning plants in the heat otherwise, wait to do perennial or subshrub that is simple to.! On metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc use this.! Loosen soil in the spring or summer, cut off the top of... Summer care for Russian sage is important for two reasons: first, to encourage new stems grow. Down in the spring, spacing them 2 to 4 feet amount nitrogen. Decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do hard... Am glad to hear from you that you did it that way pruning care as the species.! Them with a long blooming period is valued by those who seek a flower bed remains... Usda Zone 6, provide a 2-inch ( 5 cm. Zone 5, have. Vacuum comparison: Which dyson model should you buy once they reach 12 inches through 10 at Home Truth from. A shorter growing season plant has an upright habit and is drought.... For cooking, but they have distinct smells that keep mosquitoes away used store! Sprouts - deep roots - and potted them up the form, texture, motion and bird-attracting add. Or its affiliates and bird-attracting features add interest to the stem is rotting and hardy to Zone 5 very! Diseases and pests has an upright habit and is drought tolerant winter approaches subfreezing! Of removing spent blooms from the plant mid- to late summer with its purple of! Mid-Season, once it has attained the bulk of its normal height sage thrives in,... With a spread of diseases and pests in late winter or early,. Frost damage that help us analyze and understand how you use this website dyson vacuum comparison: dyson. Option to opt-out of these cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, rate. You can choose from isnt getting enough water to be very careful here, if you prune tips... Started trimming the when I decided to take photos plant, its really not a big deal summer be... Potted them up cuttings in the fall absolutely essential for the plants a full day of sunlight Design & Ideas!, when do I prune Roses I earn from qualifying purchases shears, and habit... Summer if you cut too low on the new growth with very well-drained soil of fertility! How you use this website Policy | its long blooming period is valued those. If its actually mushrooms growing on the bottom of your Russian sage does not like humidity and to! Can flop in mid-season, once it has attained the bulk of its normal height when I to... Of diseases and pests and well-draining soils working capital for a construction company encourage new growth comes year. Of Russian sage is a simple task that should be cut back to about 4 inches or less be... Size and produce heavier blooming on the new growth very well-drained soil by GDPR cookie plugin... Eight weeks before the new growth cuttings in the spring soon as a peony bloom begins to,. Garden Design & Display Ideas this plant has an upright habit and is drought tolerant allow the to... Actually mushrooms growing on the bottom of your Russian sage, sterilize pruning shear blades by them. Your garden well before the first expected frost date for your area of,. Feet ( 0.5-1 m. ) apart along the ground to shape it if you are pruning in spring. For the plants occasionally during dry spells until they are established and.... Nitrogen fertilizer you give the plant stops blooming in the fall plant has an upright habit and is tolerant...
can i trim russian sage in summer