Salvia yangii
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Perovskia atriplicifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-uh YANG-ee-eye
- Description
-
Russian sage is an erect, perennial shrub in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. This clump-forming plant reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and wide at maturity.
This plant prefers full sun in well-drained soil.The grayish-green leaves of Perovskia are pungently scented, apparent when they are crushed or brushed against. This plant blooms in the summer. Cut back stems to several inches above ground in early spring to stimulate good seasonal growth. Rangy plants can also be cut back to 12 inches after the first hard frost in the fall.
Utilize it in perennial beds and as a filler plant. The tall, clear blue flower spikes lend a cool, airy look to the garden. This plant is resistant to damage by deer and is tolerant of drought conditions.
Cultivars such as 'Longin' and 'Blue Spire' and 'Blue Mist' are superior to seed-grown plants.
Quick ID Hints:
- Stems grayish, square, bearing opposite leaves
- Leaves pinnately dissected
- Small zygomorphic flowers are borne in an elongate raceme
- Inflorescence interrupted between fascicles of flowers
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Lake Wall Garden Davidson County Demo Garden Lake Wall Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Mist'
- 'Blue Spire'
- 'Longin'
- 'Blue Mist'
- 'Blue Mist', 'Blue Spire', 'Longin'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Mist'
- 'Blue Spire'
- 'Longin'
- 'Blue Mist'
- 'Blue Mist', 'Blue Spire', 'Longin'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- yangii
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Afghanistan to Tibet
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small, lavender-blue, zygomorphic, and the corolla is 2-lipped. Inflorescence is terminal, slender, open or loose racemose vertillicaster. The rachis internodes are elongated between fascicles. Fascicles are few flowered.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cuneate
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are opposite, simple, aromatic, lanceolate, cuneate, strongly pinnately dissected, green in color above, and grayish-white in color below. They are 1-2" long and have a strong fragrance.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are square and grayish.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
