Follow these steps and space plants 2-3 feet apart. http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=431. Since you cant over-prune a Russian sage bush, you dont have to worry about exactly where to make your cuts. 32 Deer-Resistant Perennials and Herbs to Plant Outside, How to Grow and Care for May Night Salvia, How to Grow and Care for Strawberry Vanilla Hydrangea, How to Grow and Care For Monkey Puzzle Trees. Upper leaves are smaller, generally with smooth margins, but can . The long panicles of flowers become increasingly brilliant as they open. If you cut it down, make sure to cut it as close to the ground as possible. All those dead branches leave your plant looking ugly and half dead. Despite its name, the plant is a subshrub that grows from a woody base. Perovskia atriplicifolia is a fantastic addition to a herbaceous border or gravel garden, growing alongside . Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a handsome sub-shrub that reaches its peak performance towards the end of summer and into early autumn, when it produces masses of lavender-coloured flowers held on branching, aromatic stems. Apply the herbicide to the leaves of your Russian sage before it begins to flower in midsummer. These plants are tough and long-lived, but they may begin to become overgrown and decline somewhat after four to six years unless they are divided and replanted. I've declared war on my Russian Sage because it won't stay put. However, it is important to water it during the first growing season to stimulate a deep root system. I don't know what this weed is! How do you find the seeds, and when do you plant them again? While you need to consider its location, it is not a problem once it is established. But they are very hardy, and cutting them down to the ground shouldnt hurt them. The hotter and stronger the sun, the better. Preventing it from using its $630bn international dollar reserves to support the . However, if you leave the stems standing over the winter, leaves will collect around the base of the plant. In the wild, this shrub may be invasive. It does well in full, hot sun, has few insect predators and can survive in poor soil. Be sure to follow the directions on the herbicide label and take care not to damage other plants in your garden. While it is sometimes considered an invasive species, it is not listed on the National Invasive Species Database. If youre growing Russian sage plant (Perovskia atriplicifolia) in your garden, then you know how bad they can look after the winter. Just remember to prune away dead stems, which stick out like sore thumbs and look ugly. I agree with all above. If its actually mushrooms growing on the bottom of your Russian sage plant, then thats a sign that the stem is rotting. See more. This material on pruning Russian Sage is terrific. What should I do? Nope, it should grow back just fine. My others are still fairly small. The best part is that you dont have to worry about over doing it, you cant kill a Russian sage shrub by over-pruning. Treat the plant with an herbicide to kill it, using a product that contains prodiamine. Anyway, I squirt Roundup on the sprouts but have mixed results.they seem to like it. Nancy Turner on Jun 11, 2017. I thought maybe a rabbit was burrowing in my yard, but it's almost dead center of my lawn (not a very smart rabbit). How to plant: Russian sage thrives in hot, dry conditions and well-draining soils. Give Russian sage a well-draining soil and full sun for best growth. However, it is in the same general mint family, and Russian sage does have a history of use as a flavoring in vodka and in folk medicine, where it has been smoked for its euphoriant properties. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home. Any suggestions would be appreciated . A writer with a Bachelor of Science in English and secondary education, but also an interest in all things beautiful, Melissa J. What should I use that will be safe for trees? If it flowers cut them off before they go to seed. Or you can alternate these methods from year to year as you need to in order to keep your plant growing nice, and keep it shapely. However, it is not a problem in residential or urban settings. Once planted, Russian sage can survive temperatures of up to one-digit degrees in winter. The plant grows from 2' to 4' tall, depending on the variety, with feathery gray-green foliage. Many times the dead branches will break off easily, so you can just snap them off at the base if thats easier. Once established, the plant will be able to withstand dry spells and scorching summers. The tiny, purple-blue, tubular flowers are arranged in whorls along long stems. Despite its slow growth rate, it tolerates alkaline conditions. Method 1: Cut it down to the ground If your Russian sage is really woody and hasnt been pruned before, then you might want to try cutting it all the way down to the ground. Extremely tolerant of dry conditions, it is a great choice for xeriscaping. Keep the potted cutting moist and place it in a well-lit location until new growth is evident. You can take a root cutting at really any time but if you would like to start with cuttings, do so in the spring. You can prune out the dead growth any time, you wont harm the plant. Gardeners in zones 3 and 4 should not be surprised if a Russian sage fails to return after an especially harsh winter. Neither from Russia nor a type of sage, Russian sage is nonetheless an excellent plant for the perennial garden. Russian sage may also reproduce itself by natural layeringstems that flop over and touch the ground may sprout roots and begin growing as independent plants. How do you cut back Russian sage? You dont have to be very careful here, if you cut too low on the plant, its not going to hurt it. You should not prune Russian sage in the fall. Early spring pruning is a good time to shape it if you want a nicely formed, rounded plant. At this point, the rooted cutting can be planted in its new garden location. The other option is using a non selective herbicide. These self-layered volunteers can be severed from the mother plant, dug up, and transplanted into new locations. Without this enzyme, the plant cannot grow or reproduce. Thats the best way to keep it in control. Cut the plant down to the stump to simply dig it out of the ground. If youre planting Russian sage in a garden, you can use a combination of grit and organic matter to improve the soil. With some varieties, this is almost unavoidable and the plants may require a hoop support or other means of staking to keep the plants more upright. You are on the right track in digging it up. Hi- The image of the weed did not come through. 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. Warmer regions will see this plant behave as a semi-woody shrub, while gardeners in zones 3 and 4 will treat it as a perennial that dies back to near ground level each winter. I planted Russian sage as an ornamental last fall. This will rejuvenate the plant so it will grow fuller and bushier. Russian sage has an airy, see-through quality that works best when planted en masse, though it also can be an effective specimen plant in mixed borders. . So its important to learn how to cut back Russian sage to keep it looking its best all summer long. Good grass will over compete and push the sedge back. It grows best in sandy soil thats not too acidic. It likes medium to dry soil and will do fine in hot, dry areas of your yard or garden. Choose 'Superba' for a more intense flower color of violet-blue. Russian sage belongs to a class of shrubs called subshrubs. Failure to bloom is usually traced to a lack of sunlight, as these plants grow leggy with sparse blooms if they don't get a full six hours or more of direct sunlight daily. 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. Roundup Pro Max. Batsford Publishing, 1994. Its fast growth makes it the ideal choice for small spaces. If it flowers cut them off before they go to seed. 'Longin' has an erect habit with less serrated leaves and flowers similar to the species. Last was on my hanging fern. Indigenous to central Asia, is reliably hardy in planting zones 5 through 9 and it often survives in zones 3 and 4 if you provide some minimal protection during winter. By clicking the button you are agreeing to receive our email newsletter. Or, you can move the plant to a cold frame or unheated porch or garage until spring. Set out new plants in early spring, spacing them 2 to 3 feet (0.5-1 m.) apart. You may see both Latin names listed in nursery catalogs for several years. 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. Pruning can be done in the fall, but you may want to leave the silvery stems in place over the winter for visual appeal. Step 1: Look for the new growth Find the spot on the branch where the new leaves have started growing. I am wondering if I need to prune my Feather Grass (pony tails) or Russian sage back, and when is the best time? 48" tall x 48" wide (cutting propagated). I just got my Russian Sage this spring! I wanted to know if anyone could suggest a few types of flowering trees, medium HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. It's root is almost like a long parsnip. Loosen soil in the planting area and dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. Russian sage is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant sub-shrub often grown as a perennial. Dismiss South Herbicide. Before we start, I want to mention that there are different types of Russian sage plants. Help! David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spires' (Russian Sage), a European cultivar, is a vigorous, well-shaped grower with attractive dark-blue flower spikes. Thank you! Thanks Paul. It will take persistent attention on your part to remove as much as possible of all emerging plants and roots. Academic resources now list Russian sage as Salvia yangiialthough the old botanical name persists, especially in the nursery trade. Second, some plants are less likely to survive the winter if you cut them back in fall. Ideally I would try to move the plant I have but I am afraid I will kill it. Luckily, the sage will stay where it is planted for years. What is the best way to use this plant in the landscape? Overall, Russian Sage isnt an invasive shrub. How Do You Stop Russian Sage from Spreading? There are three techniques you can use for pruning Russian sage. When pruning, consider trimming the stems 6-8 inches above ground level. Ok I need some humanely advice on my "birdly" situation. Liatris pycnostachya . How do I keep an unknown neighbor's cat from peeing on my front porch, furniture and cushions? For best results and blooms, plant Russian sage in full sun. I agree with all above. Hand digging every new sprout is the least toxic method of removing them. The hole is not very deep, and I replanted it onc So the dead twigs that are sticking out above the leaves in the spring will be there all summer if you dont prune it. All varieties should receive the same pruning care as the species plant. All content found on this website is copyrighted materials and any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited. They both re sprout from the extensive root system. I've got 12 hemlock trees infested with woolly adelgids. Named cultivars of this plant usually do not produce seeds that "come true" to the parent plant, so seed propagation is not common. With this approach, the hard pruning is done in early spring. Plants shouldn't be pruned in the fall, since this could encourage early growth that is susceptible to frost damage, advises Arbor Valley Nursery. In regions where the plant is evergreen, you can selectively cut back dead or under-performing stems as they identify themselves in mid-spring. Eraser 41% Weed Killer Herbicide. Grow it in the perennial border, xeriscape garden, and theme gardens such as Mediterranean and Tuscan gardens. See more, I have no idea why birds insist to habitat on my front porch. One option is to bury the entire pot up to its rim for the winter. Required fields are marked *. Once the cuttings are in the ground, they should be watered deeply until they sprout new growth. This new growing season will be so fun witnessing the growth of my old Russian Sage plantings! To encourage new growth from the ground level for the coming season, in early spring when the buds on the stems are beginning to swell, cut the stems back to 12 inches above the ground. Thank you for the images. Have tried roundup it just killed pines around them. It sounds to me like your Russian sage isnt getting enough water. Unlike many species in the mint family, Russian sage is not considered seriously invasive. I cut my Russian Sage down to nearly the ground in fall after a hard freeze. I want to kill all my Russian Sage but not my Pines or Maple trees near it. (Read this first), What Do You Put Under Grow Bags? I have Russian sage in a perennial area. I suspect that each sprout has a . You can however collect seeds. Since it is so tall, if grown individually, it often requires support with stakes or a peony ring, If grown in masses, the plants help to support one another. Do Deer Eat Rhododendron? Pruning is an important part of Russian sage care, and it helps to keep your plants growing and looking their best. Whenever you prune, it's best to cut the stems back to 8 to 12 inches, which retains an ample number of growth buds that will resprout. If you have a problem with Russian sage spreading into other areas of your garden, you may want to consider growing it in a container. If you dig it up, make sure to get all the roots so that it doesnt grow back. IF I use a weed killer on the new shoots of Russian sage that are in spots I don't want, will that kill the entire plant? They both re sprout from the extensive root system. Does anyone have any Suggestions on h There you have it! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My brand new bookVertical Vegetables is now available for purchase!! I understand that the best chemical may be prodiamine,however I am concerned about using it as a pre -emergent as it may destroy the other perennial in the area. 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. It is best to plant them 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. Russian sage will not grow well in excessively wet, poorly-draining soil.. And, my assumption that they would be tall & of course, stunning, has been a sad disappointment. If you have Russian sage in your garden and want to get rid of it, there are a few things you can do. These aromatic plants tend to repel most common insects, and the only significant disease is root rot which can occur if the plants are growing in wet, poorly draining soil. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a semi-woody ground. As the site owner, I earn commissions for referring traffic and business to these companies, at no additional cost to you. With regular division, however, you can keep plants growing indefinitely. Have tried digging them out but they just keep spreading underground . Roundup works by causing cell death in plants. I have a large goldfish pond and a previous home owner planted Russian Sage in a couple places around the pond. Use Russian sage to add color to a sidewalk, a concrete patio, or next to a driveway or carport. Plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. So, no matter which variety you have, you can follow these steps. It is useful in container gardening, and a single plant in a large container brings color and fragrance to patios, decks and terraces. Shady conditions tend to make the plant leggy and prone to collapse. Its long, slender stems and slender leaves will add drama to your garden. Russian sage is hardy in USDA plant hardiness Zones 5 through 10. And in cold-winter zones where the plant dies back each year, hard pruning is mandatory. I don't have any russian sage plants, but our neighbors do and several common areas in our neighborhood do. The compact habit of Blue Jean Baby Russian Sage allows it to stand tall in the garden. While you can apply Roundup at any time, you will achieve the best control of the weeds. Prepare to use a chemical herbicide that contains glyphosate to kill sage grass. This is called stratification. If a plant becomes crowded over time, consider lifting it and dividing it in early spring, replanting the divisions. 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