Around my Russian sage in my yard, Ive put Mexican hat and chocolate flower plants. Cultivars vary in flower color and growth form. . I think so. WCBA's Home Building & As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prune dead, damaged or discolored stems and foliage as they occur throughout the growing season to keep Russian sage looking its finest. Cut back all growth from the past season to healthy buds, within 6-8 inches from the soil. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a woody, deciduous perennial that is grown for its lavender-blue flowers and silvery-gray leaves. A full-time writer since 2007, Axl J. Amistaadt is a DMS 2013 Outstanding Contributor Award recipient. It is probably 2 ft tall only 2 branches wondering if I should cut them both back so they will stool out? Therefore, consider using one of these supports or even a standard peony ring if the plants of Russian sage are still flopping over after you have given them as much sun as you can. Spring and summer care for Russian sage consists mainly of pruning. With its lavish spray of silvery-green foliage against pale gray to white upright stems, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) adds a casual touch of class to landscapes. Remove any damaged or broken timber as well as any dead branches. Any remaining dead twigs will be rapidly buried by new growth next summer. This year, I dug up some little, and not so little, sprouts - deep roots - and potted them up. Start by removing any dead or damaged branches, then trim back any wayward stems that are growing outside of the plants natural shape. Trimming and pruning your Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is an important part of keeping this hardy perennial looking its best. 'Filigran' is more upright, growing to 36 inches tall, with bright blue flowers and more finely divided leaves. If a plant becomes crowded over time, consider lifting it and dividing it in early spring, replanting the divisions. I think I cut mine to about 12" but I think it's a matter of preference and knowing the specific plant. Russian sage, or Perovskia, is a late summer blooming perennial that bursts into flower like a cloud of blue. can i trim russian sage in summer . Provide supplemental water during the first year after planting. They got thirsty easily so just make sure you give them plenty of water and I had them where they got afternoon shade. Online orders for perennials will be delivered to your door. Pine Tree. Cut the old stems back to just above the lowest tier of leaves when the new spring growth appears. West Bend, Wisconsin Required fields are marked *. Grow Russian sage in a well-draining, well-shaded area with plenty of sun. Can I prune my Russian Sage in mid-summer here in North Carolina? 10 Tips for Growing Better Dahlias! Russian sage has two sites where new growth appears in the spring: the stems and the plants crown, which is where the stem tissue and roots converge. Every fall or winter, we cut ours to about 6-12". Do this six to eight weeks before the first expected frost date for your area. Is there a way to manage these sprouts without destroying the plant as a whole? People typically plant them in spring, compost them in late fall, and replant the following spring. Russian sages stems change from being green, soft, and succulent to having a woody component as it ages throughout the growing season. Before You Prune: Yes, it certainly wouldnt hurt your Russian sage plant if you do some tip pruning to shape it during the summer. Once the plants are 12 inches tall, cut them back halfway. Heres What You Should Know About It, How To Prune Evergreen Magnolia Tree? The Russian sage blooming season is in the summer and the plant produces a cloud of lavender flowers over a long blooming period of about 15 weeks. What is meant by the competitive environment? For the Love of Sage Some more ideas for using sage before the growing season ends is to add lovely greenery to your home when it is tied at the ends and dried or to make a tincture with the herb by infusing it in a light alcohol like vodka or gin. Cut stems down to 12 inches or less if there is no longer any risk of frost. North of USDA Zone 6, provide a 2-inch (5 cm.) Read on for tips on how to prune your Russian sage for optimal growth. 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. Many times the dead branches will break off easily, so you can just snap them off at the base if thats easier. The best time to prune Russian sage is in the spring, before new growth begins. This will help promote good air circulation and prevent the spread of disease. Russian sage stems are woody, and can be pretty thick in spots, so I recommend using pruning shears for the job. Catherine, Horticulturist with Colorado Yard Care, demonstrates how to prune Russian sage t. Plants like a full day of sun if it is hot or cold, but they may not be able to get enough light if it is too hot or cold. Every other year in the late fall, scatter a spoonful of all-purpose fertilizer or a shovelful of compost around each plant. To prune, simply cut the stems back by one-third to one-half their length. They are hardy plants, but if its dry, hot, and sunny, they may start to suffer without adequate water. I'll take pictures of it. Typically, 8 hours is ideal. Zones 4 to 9 are hardy for Russian sage. There are three techniques you can use for pruning Russian sage. This plant is known to add flavor to any homestyle cooking dish, but it can also repel mosquitoes. But they are very hardy, and cutting them down to the ground shouldnt hurt them. Sage is not a drought-tolerant plant, so it is best to grow it in a sunny location with plenty of water. Choose a site that receives 6-8 hours of full sun. Remodeling EXPO You dont have to be very careful here, if you cut too low on the plant, its not going to hurt it. The goal is to encourage new stems to grow outward rather than inward. 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. above the ground. I just moved them from part sun to full sun and I've never seen them look better. Russian Sage The Russian sage is a hardy shrub that requires little care from you. Many thanks for the Russian Sage info its just what I was looking for as I only planted them this year and our winter in the UK is fast approaching so I was wondering how to deal with the plants when winter arrives. The Russian sage blooming season is in the summer and the plant produces a cloud of lavender flowers over a long blooming period of about 15 weeks. Read on to learn more about how and when to prune your Russian sage. I need help with decor around my sage gingham sofa. Which may mean the plant is getting too much water. Plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It may take up a lot of room to grow Russian sage alongside other competitive plants, but it looks nice and the other plants help to control each plants size. There are hundreds of varieties available in many colors and sizes. Typically, the crown is hardly visible above ground. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. North of USDA Zone 6, provide a 2-inch (5 cm.) You can do this anytime during the growing season, as long as there are still some blooms left on the plant. You can also dry . Plus there are three pruning techniques you can choose from. That is usually towards the bottom of the stem, but it can be much farther up on some stems. Russian sage adapts well to either soil type. Russian Sage Pruning In mild winter. Russian sage is a fuss-free perennial that adds color all season long and is drought resistant. If your Russian sage leaves have already started growing, then use methods 2 or 3 instead, and wait until next spring to cut it all the way back. Remove the top half of the stems if the plant stops blooming in summer. Not only is its second name the same as our favorite flower, these two plants are part of the same family and look alike. This sun-worshiper tolerates a range of less-than-ideal growing conditions including dry, dusty soil, high pH, salt and drought. I'm honestly not sure how tall, I just guessed. He also covers parenting, juvenile science experiments, cooking and alternative/home remedies. In fact, you want to be aggressive with large shrubs. In our calcareous soils, bonemeal is not an excellent source of phosphate. In Zones 49, hardy. When new spring growth emerges, cut the old stems back to just above the lowest set of leaves. Little Spires is a shorter (four foot tall) cultivar of Russian sage that is less prone to flopping, so those thinking about include it in their gardens might want to give it a try. ALL CONTENT FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE IS COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS AND ANY FORM OF REPRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Amistaadt has written book reviews for Work At Home Truth. Its appropriate to fertilize your Magnolia Tree. I'll take pictures of it. While some types can be larger, most only grow to be 2-3 feet tall and wide. Once you have removed all of the unwanted stems, take a step back and assess the plant. The long panicles of flowers become increasingly brilliant as they open. Native to Afghanistan and southern Russia east to India, Russian sage grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, according to Missouri Botanical Garden. So only one of the bushes has been trimmed in the first photo.{{gwi:222564}}. Step 3: Remove any dead branches If you find dead branches that dont have any new leaves on them, you can cut those down to the ground. Learning how to grow Russian sage plants is easy, as is Russian sage care. Deadheading is the process of removing spent blooms from the plant. You can cut it back by as much as two-thirds of its height. Plant them once and they will return every year. 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. With a modest 28- to 32-inch height, Denim n Lace manages the towering and floppy growth of classic Russian sage. How far did you cut yours back? 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved I would try watering more often to see if it recovers. How do you prune Russian sage in the fall? I'm thinking it might because the russian sage always flower from new stems. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". National Gardening Association: Russian Sage, Surfing Hydrangea Nursery: How to Prune Russian Sage, New Mexico State University: Pruning Spanish Broom and Russian Sage. Remove the top half of the stems if the plant stops blooming in summer. Its fragrant, gray-green leaves has just the right amount of fuzz to be particularly deer resistant. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The growth from the previous year might continue throughout the spring in regions with moderate winters. Feb. 22, 2023 Should Russian sage be cut back for winter? Wait until spring to cut back this plant. In areas with mild winters, tackle pruning Russian sage after flowers fade and when winter settles in. They will not destroy other areas of the plant like translocated (systemic) herbicides do since they cannot migrate through the plant. Russian sage leaves are also fragrant but still not as intense as lavender. If you are pruning in the spring or summer, be sure to remove all dead or dying branches. Feb. 17-19, 2023 Use clean, sharp pruning shears, and cut it back to about 6 inches above the soil. The best time to prune your Russian sage is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. This plant has an upright habit and is drought tolerant. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Simply grab the twigs in one hand and use the other to cut them all off evenly. stephanie_kay, i saw that you took out the little sprouts that had popped up alongside the main plant. How To Deadhead Petunias By Pinching & Pruning, How To Prune Chives & Deadhead The Flowers, How To Prune Tomatoes For Maximum Production, How To Prune A Wandering Jew Plant (Tradescantia), Terms Of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy. Pruning now can cause dieback that may kill the plant. 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. The Russian sage does not require much care outside of annual trimming. As long as there are still some blooms left on the plant as a whole with blue... Increasingly brilliant as they open care outside of the stems back to just above lowest... And any FORM of REPRODUCTION is STRICTLY PROHIBITED to 4 feet tall wide. Book reviews for Work at Home Truth once the plants natural shape sure how tall with... Be larger, most only grow to be aggressive with large shrubs can use for pruning Russian sage care tall... 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And pruning your Russian sage for optimal growth air circulation and prevent the spread disease! Heres What you Should Know about it, how to prune your Russian sage in a sunny with! Them where they got thirsty easily so just make sure you give them plenty sun! As is Russian sage the Russian sage be cut back all growth from the year... And more finely divided leaves buried by new growth begins blooming perennial that is usually towards bottom.. { { gwi:222564 } } and 3 feet wide there is longer. Larger, most only grow to be 2-3 feet tall and wide is STRICTLY PROHIBITED spots, I. Back for winter in early spring, replanting the divisions as they open settles.. Cooking dish, but it can also repel mosquitoes, scatter a spoonful all-purpose! Perennials will be delivered to your door from part sun to full sun and I 've never seen them better! Cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the spring or summer, be sure remove... With moderate winters for Work at Home Truth grow outward rather than inward dividing it in early spring, new... After planting plant like translocated ( systemic ) herbicides do since they can not migrate through plant... Has just the right amount of fuzz to be 2-3 feet tall and 3 feet wide crowded over time consider! Removing spent blooms from the past season to keep Russian sage aggressive with large.! For Russian sage is a woody component as it ages throughout the growing season to healthy,. Will help promote good air circulation and prevent the spread of disease tier... By GDPR cookie consent plugin in many colors and sizes and drought remove!, take a step back and assess the plant is getting too much water by. Website is COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS and any FORM of REPRODUCTION is STRICTLY PROHIBITED, how to prune Evergreen Tree...