Russian Sage

$23.95

The Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a deciduous semi-woody subshrub with upright, grayish white stems and lobed, silvery gray leaves. The older stems are woody at the base, and younger stems are herbaceous and square in cross section. The stems and leaves give off a pungent odor when crushed or bruised. In late summer and autumn Russian sage produces 12 in. spires of small, tubular lavender flowers. Flowering persists for two or three months. Russian sage grows in a clump. Place in full sun. ... additional info

Spice Bush Clusters of tiny, aromatic, greenish-yellow flowers bloom along the branches in early spring before the foliage emerges. Flowers of female plants give way to bright red drupes (to 1/2" long) which mature in fall and are attractive to birds. Drupes are very attractive, but are largely hidden by the foliage until the leaves drop. Thick, oblong, light green leaves (to 5" long) turn an attractive yellow in autumn. Leaves are aromatic when crushed. The larva (caterpillar) of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly feeds on the leaves of this shrub. They are easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Fall color is best in sunny areas. Tolerates full shade, but habit becomes more open and wide-spreading.