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-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Salvia yangii" by Robert M Hallock is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
- Photo 2: "Salvia yangii" by Nick Kleinschmidt is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
- Photo 3: "Salvia yangii" by Christine Stone is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/.
- Photo 4: "Salvia yangii" by Rod is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/.
- Photo 5: (c) Bernhard Hildebrand, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 6: (c) Daughter Dad, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- 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)
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips, Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~4 ft apart (3 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Bloom color
- blue, purple
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelyRussian sage, root suckers can travel 6+ ft (was Perovskia)
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.
