I have two different varieties of three Russian sage plants planted in medium to full light. Instead of 4 plus feet.They are looking pretty good right now. Wait until spring to cut back this plant. LOL. To prune Russian Sage while its dormant, adhere to these steps: Ill share a small secret with you now that we are aware of how to prune Russian sage properly. What is meant by the competitive environment? Make sure you avoid pruning any live woody stems. This will help minimize stress on the plant and encourage new growth. In actuality, once established, Russian sage does well in dry soil and requires little water. All content found on this website is copyrighted materials and any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited. This will help to retain moisture and prevent the roots from drying out. Cut the old stems back to just above the lowest tier of leaves when the new spring growth appears. Plant in well-drained soil and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Can an existing marble back splash be cut to remove a piece? Most of us on the island have a lean, sandy soil, which is where it operates best. Ready to join the 100,000+ homeowners matched with pros? Shear off the top one-third of the stems if the plant starts to sprawl or spread open in late spring or summer to promote upright growth. Follow these step-by-step instructions to learn how to prune Russian sage plants. (Explained for Beginners), When Do You Prune Back Peonies? You can cut it back all the way down to the ground, prune it for shape, or wait for new growth before pruning it (which is the method I like to use, see the step-by-step instructions below). In our calcareous soils, bonemeal is not an excellent source of phosphate. Foot-long flower heads infuse strong drama into plantings. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open it looks bad and shortens the plants lifespan. There are two main methods for pruning Russian sage: deadheading and shearing. So the dead twigs that are sticking out above the leaves in the spring will be there all summer if you dont prune it. Thank you! New growth will quickly emerge from the plants base, resulting in a fuller plant. My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening most of my life. Do you think folks the russian sage I grew from seed will flower this year? It is also found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Its fragrant, gray-green leaves has just the right amount of fuzz to be particularly deer resistant. For terminal branching and increased bloom production, Russian sage can also benefit from mild pruning in the early summer. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Additionally, the seedlings of the rival plants must be taken out. Any ideas? How does the photoelectric effect prove that light is a particle and not just a wave? Remove the old growth, which usually dies back in winter, in early spring. by . Russian sage leaves are also fragrant but still not as intense as lavender. Suddenly it appears to be drying up a d dying Im in zone 9b, warm and dry. Herbicides for contact are one alternative. Admired for its silvery gray, fragrant foliage as much as its lavender-purple flowers, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) makes a bold statement in the garden. I saw it 2 days ago and the height now is 14 inches tall. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Or, if youd rather, use your hedge trimmers to attack them! Plus the form, texture, motion and bird-attracting features add interest to the winter landscape. What happens if you dont cut back Russian sage? North of USDA Zone 6, provide a 2-inch (5 cm.) Its also important to know that Russian sage wont grow back at the tips of the plant after the winter, and the branches die back towards the bottom of the plant. What do you think? Such excessive growth can cause the stems to become top-heavy, and then flop. Early spring is a good time to cut back sage. if i can pick those out and then make them into their own plant? The top portion of the plant may die back in cold winters. You can divide it to create several smaller plants, or keep them together for larger landscaping projects. You can unsubscribe at any time. Online orders for perennials will be delivered to your door. Russian sage pruning can be intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, your plants will become stronger and fuller and put up a more attractive flower display. Expert gardening advice straight to your inbox! Contact your doctor if you experience, Prune azaleas in the early spring before new buds form, according to the asa. If youre not sure what salvia you are growing then leave pruning until spring. Whatever garden pruning tools you use, just be sure they are always cleaned and sharpened before you start cutting. Unlike many perennial plants and shrubs that can be pruned now, it is best to wait to prune lavender until after bloom in spring or in early fall before any danger of frost. Remove any weak branches that wont be able to sustain robust new ones the next season. When possible, give the plants a full day of sunlight. Grow Beautiful Water Gardens Grow it in the perennial border, xeriscape garden, and theme gardens such as Mediterranean and Tuscan gardens. So only one of the bushes has been trimmed in the first photo.{{gwi:222564}}. Privacy Policy | If you dont prune Russian sage, the plant will become very overgrown and woody, which doesnt look very nice. It grows best in full sun with well-draining soil that's slightly dry or has medium moisture. Companion Plants: Because of the wispy nature of Russian Sage, it is fabulous planted with a flower that can pick up the violet-blue of its many flower panicles, and grow through it, such as Coneflower (Echinacea spp. Missouri Botanical Garden: Perovskia atriplicifolia, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space, Life Expectancy of the Kangaroo Paw Flower. Sage and other subshrub plants should never be cut back to the ground, according to Fine Gardening. Can I prune my Russian Sage in mid-summer here in North Carolina? Plants shouldnt be pruned in the fall, since this could encourage early growth that is susceptible to frost damage, advises Arbor Valley Nursery. If the plant begins to spread open or sprawl in late spring or summer, shear off the top one-third of the stems to encourage upright growth. Try to make the cut as close to the leaves as you can, any part of the dead branch that is sticking out will be there all summer. Press the medium against the stem . Follow these steps to prune Russian Sage while dormant: Herbs that hold some leaves through winter for example, sage and winter savory will endure the cold better if you give them seasonal shelter from frigid winds. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Mix one part bleach to nine parts water. This plant blooms on new wood, so its important to prune in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. It sounds to me like your Russian sage isnt getting enough water. Yours are looking very healthy and happy! Sage is susceptible to a number of diseases including powdery mildew, leaf spot, and aphid infestations. Decrease the amount of nitrogen fertilizer you give the plant. Shearing will produce a tidier-looking plant, but it can also damage the stems if done incorrectly. Or you can leave them longer if you dont care about the shape of the plant. Poke a 2-inch-deep hole in the growing medium and stick the bottom of the cutting into the hole. Growing Russian sage with less than eight hours of direct sun per day encourages flopping, though pruning in spring helps prevent this. Many gardeners choose to leave this plant standing just as it is during the winter. The stems can become heavy and flop because of excessive growth. Russian sage is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant shrub, making it a great choice for xeriscaping. The soft-textured, fragrant, finely divided foliage alone makes this a garden-worthy plant. When using this method, cut large plants back to about a foot high. To encourage fuller plants, prune one-third to one-half of the length off all the stems. Leave some of the taller dead flower spires to add rich texture and winter interest to the casual landscape through the dormant period. Yes, you can take 3-4 stem cuttings, dip them in rooting hormone, and root them in moist soil. It often blooms twice in one season. The plant wont get as big if the irrigation is restricted, but it will still produce blossoms. Russian Sage should be pruned with the following goals in mind: Removing dead twigs, cutting off broken or damaged branches, and encouraging vigorous growth from a healthy foundation of stems that will bloom the next summer. HayFarmGuyis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. In the winter landscape it is a visual bonus, offering a ghostly, airy appearance on frosty mornings. Russian sage is a fuss-free perennial that adds color all season long and is drought resistant. You can use this technique every year to make pruning easier if you want, it wont hurt the plant. Typically, it flowers in August and September. Which is better Russian sage or lavender? While leaving the stems and seed pods in the garden until spring adds winter interest, you can trim the stems back to a foot (.5 m) above the ground for a neater appearance. Why 12"? If you want your Russian sage to stop spreading, then I recommend digging up the runners that it sends out below the ground. Cut the old stems back to just above the lowest tier of leaves when the new spring growth appears. layer of pine needles over winter and remove them in spring when new growth emerges. Those considering adding Russian sage to their gardens may want to try Little Spires, a shorter (four foot tall) cultivar that is less prone to flopping. Not only will pruning help promote new growth, but it will also prevent the plant from becoming leggy and overgrown. 3 KNOW WHEN TO STOP Continue until all the woody growth has been removed and youre left with a neat stump of cut stems bearing new shoots. Over time, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) can become somewhat leggy and gangly-looking. Learn the two best techniques to cut back Russian sage in spring. Its lacy gray-green foliage, reliable flower production from midsummer to frost and ease of care makes the Russian sage plant (Perovskia atriplicifolia) suitable for a wide variety of garden uses. 'Filigran' is more upright, growing to 36 inches tall, with bright blue flowers and more finely divided leaves. I want my russian sage to be smaller. WEBINAR: This will encourage new growth and help keep the plant compact. It is not advisable to prune sage during the fall or winter. They will not get upright and will flop along the ground. But only use this method in very early spring while the plant is still dormant, and before the leaves have started growing. . This plant has an upright habit and is drought tolerant. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Trimming & Pruning: Deadheading will not affect bloom time for Russian sage, however it should be cut back each year in early spring to approximately 12-15 above the ground. You can cut the plant back quite severely up to one-third of its total height and it will bounce back quickly. Russian sage adapts well to either soil type. Its long blooming period is valued by those who seek a flower bed that remains in bloom throughout the growing season. Additionally, regular pruning helps to keep the shrub from becoming leggy and weak at the base. Hardy perennial salvias can be cut back hard in spring or autumn. All those dead branches leave your plant looking ugly and half dead. Do you cut back Russian sage for the winter? Water the plants occasionally during dry spells until they are established and growing. Affordable Food Gardening This grid will be partially obscured by the plants as they expand as they grow through it. Grow Russian sage in a well-draining, well-shaded area with plenty of sun. The plant prefers moist soil but will tolerate a little bit of drought, especially if the soil is rich in organic matter, such as peat moss or composted manure. Watch Melinda's past webinars ON DEMAND Every four to six years, divide the clumps to revitalize the plants and limit their expansion. Dig the new hole first so transplanting can happen quickly. You can do this anytime during the growing season, as long as there are still some blooms left on the plant. Method 3: Wait for new growth before pruning it This is my preferred method, but its also the most tedious. I find it easier to wait until the leaves have started growing before I prune mine so I know exactly where to cut. Right now height and it will still produce blossoms its important to prune Russian isnt... Drought-Tolerant shrub, making it a great choice for xeriscaping perennial border, xeriscape garden, and 've... 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Choose to leave this plant standing just as it is also found in Europe,,... Never be cut back Russian sage with less than eight hours of direct sun day. In late winter or early spring before new buds form, according to the asa benefit from mild in... The bushes has been trimmed in the early summer remove the old growth, it... They expand as they grow a large, lanky, woody base that split. Aphid infestations height and it will bounce back quickly and theme gardens such as Mediterranean Tuscan.