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Perovskia atriplicifolia - Benth.

Common Name Russian Sage, Azure Sage
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 5-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open rocky places[187]. Freely draining gravels and screes[200].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas to China.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian Sage, Azure Sage


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Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian Sage, Azure Sage

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Irregular or sprawling.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Perovskia atriplicifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses:

The small lavender flowers have a sweet flavour and can be eaten in salads or used as a garnish[177, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Febrifuge

The plant is used as a cooling medicine in the treatment of fevers[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge

This species is suitable for forming an internal decorative hedge of moderate height[200].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Massing, Seashore, Specimen. Prefers a rich well-drained dry soil and a sunny position[1, 11, 187, 190, 200]. Tolerates light shade but plants become more lax in habit in such a situation[200]. Succeeds in poor soils and, once established, tolerates drought[190]. Tolerant of dry chalk soils, it also succeeds in maritime gardens[200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c, though the stems are often cut back by hard frosts[200]. A very ornamental plant[1]. In cultivation people often cut the plants to the ground in the spring in order to encourage strong new growth and plenty of flowers[190, 200, 233]. Plants rarely produce seed in Britain[200]. The crushed leaves are very aromatic[190]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[200]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of softwood in late spring in a frame[200]. Easy[200]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm long with a heel, July/August in a cold frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Benth.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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