Russian sage
Salvia yangii
Russian sage (Salvia yangii) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Front Range xeric staple. Lavender-blue haze of bloom from July through frost. Renamed from Perovskia atriplicifolia in 2017.
On the CSU listlow water2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Salvia yangii
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Little Spire', 'Filigran', 'Denim 'n Lace'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~4 ft apart (3 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- sandy, loam, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- blue, purple
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Pollinator value
- high
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips, Hot south- or west-facing walls
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelyRussian sage, root suckers can travel 6+ ft (was Perovskia)
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer; minimal after. Cut to ~6 inches in early spring, blooms on new wood.
- Pruning: hard (rejuvenation).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Russian sage good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Russian sage is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Russian sage?
- The main things to know: Russian sage, root suckers can travel 6+ ft (was Perovskia)
- How big does Russian sage get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Russian sage?
- Space Russian sage about 4 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 3 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Russian sage hardy on the Front Range?
- Russian sage is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Russian sage need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Russian sage grow?
- Russian sage is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Russian sage native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Russian sage deer-resistant?
- Russian sage is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Russian sage a good firewise plant near the house?
- Russian sage is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Russian sage bloom?
- Russian sage blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
