yardremake
A mature Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Border · Patio · Walkway · Cottage · Drought tolerant · Rock

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Russian Sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia · Perennial

Russian Sage is a perennial, hardy in USDA zones 5-9, that matures to about 3–5 ft × 2–4 ft. It does best in full sun with low water needs in well-drained and occasionally-dry soil. Expect blue and purple blooms in summer and fall. It attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, stands up well to deer, drought and pollution and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones
5-9
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Mature size
3–5 ft × 2–4 ft
Spacing
3–6 ft
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Occasionally-dry
Foliage
Silver
Bloom color
Blue, Purple
Bloom season
Summer, Fall
Attracts
Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Tough against
Deer, Drought, Pollution, Poor soil, Rabbits, Salt
Native to
Himalayas, western China

Will it survive your winters?

We score Russian Sage’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9

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