Russian Sage is not a salvia, or true sage, but the grey-green of its foliage, its aromatic qualities and purple flowers are certainly similar to that large genus.
Does Russian sage have another name?
Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is an attractive plant with elongate, gray-green leaves and square, silvery-gray stems that produces an airy cloud of color late in the summer.
Is Russian sage good for anything?
A perennial plant with purple flowers, Russian sage not only looks great in a garden, but it also has a variety of medicinal benefits. Steep sage leaves in hot water for 15-30 minutes to create a medicinal tea that can help relieve stomach pain and indigestion. Tea made from Russian sage can also help break a fever.
What is similar to Russian sage?
Foliage & Branching Habits: Russian Sage is also in the mint family, just like Salvia. It is similar in resemblance, with square stems and opposite blue-green leaves.
Why is it called Russian sage?
The former genus name, Perovskia, honors a Russian general from the 1800s, V. A. Perovski. The former epithet, atriplicifolia, means leaves like saltbush. The common name, Russian sage, is misleading since it is not a native of Russia.
Can I use Russian sage for smudging?
Russian sage is one of my absolute favorite perennials in my pollinator garden. It is also one of my absolute favorite smudging herbs. Russian sage has a wonderful musky/minty smell, and once a dried smudge stick is lit, it burns until you either put it out or the smudge stick is used up.
What does Russian sage repel?
mosquitoes
Both Russian Sage and Lemon Verbena are known for cooking, but they have distinct smells that keep mosquitoes away. Lavender is also popular, especially for indoors, but Gaskins said it also serves as a repellent.
Does Russian sage attract bugs?
Russian Sage – This is an indispensable plant for the hot sunny border because it attracts beneficial bees but offers nothing to browsing bug pests. Even javelina find this bloomer distasteful.
Is Russian sage poisonous to dogs?
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia).
Purple and pretty, Russian Sage is a great fall plant, and considered nontoxic to pets.
Does Russian sage need to be cut back every year?
In warmer regions it may not die back much, if at all, during the winter months. In areas with mild winters, tackle pruning Russian sage after flowers fade and when winter settles in. You can give plants a hard prune at this point, cutting plants to 6 to 12 inches tall, if you don’t want to see stems all winter long.
Does Russian sage smell like sage?
In addition to its blossoms, Russian sage has beautiful silver-green foliage. Leaf edges may have a serrated or wavy edge. All parts of Russian sage are quite fragrant when rubbed or crushed. Some people describe it as a sage-like smell, sometimes mixed with lavender scents as well.
Should I plant lavender or Russian sage?
But Russian sage can handle more water (and lavender thrives in poor soil) Lavender can’t stand much water. Russian sage, however, can grow in dry-to-medium soil. And while both plants can deal with less-than-ideal soil conditions, for lavender, the poorer the quality of the soil (even sand), the better.
Does Russian sage easily spread?
Spacing: Space Russian sage 24” apart at planting time to allow for the eventual wide growth of the plant. Russian sage is a slow grower and does not spread, creating a woody structure of stems at the base of the plant.
Do hummingbirds like Russian sage?
Russian sage is a hummingbird’s favorite because of the multitude of blooms and the shape of the flowers. It produces a nice fragrance that can attract humans too! This plant blooms mid to late summer and provides food for the hummingbirds during that time.
Do you cut down Russian sage in the fall?
Is it best to cut Russian sage back in fall or spring? Wait until late winter or early spring to cut back Russian sage, butterfly bush and pest-free perennials. Research has found letting these plants stand for winter increases their hardiness.
Is Russian sage invasive?
Russian sage spreads by self-sowing if conditions are right and also by rhizomes. In some situations, gardeners report this perennial flower as being invasive. It is not, however, reported or recorded as such in the National Invasive Species database. In the garden, keep an eye out for spreading stems.
What type of sage is good for cleansing?
blue sage
For example, blue sage is used in cleansing and healing rituals, while desert sage is used for purifying and protection. Other herbs, including juniper and sweetgrass, can also be burned for similar purposes.
What is the best sage to smudge with?
California White Sage
“The type of sage you want to buy is called ‘California White Sage‘ or ‘White Sage Smudge Stick. ‘ Do not use the regular old sage in your kitchen. You want to buy high-quality, ethically cultivated sage. Shamans Market or Taos Herb are both great places to shop.
Can you use sage if you’re not native?
If you’re not a member of an Indigenous community, purchasing white sage, Palo Santo, or other sacred herbs and quickly Googling “how to smudge” will not make you qualified to do so. This is cultural appropriation, and it’s harmful to Native communities.
Is Russian sage poisonous to touch?
Commonsense Precautions. Russian sage is not considered poisonous because it would take great effort to eat enough of it to get sick. Still, a cautious approach is sensible. The sprawling, upright habit of Russian sage might be attractive to young children, perhaps as a place to play hide and seek.
What happens if you don’t cut back Russian sage?
If you don’t prune Russian sage, the plant will become very overgrown and woody, which doesn’t look very nice. It’s also important to know that Russian sage won’t grow back at the tips of the plant after the winter, and the branches die back towards the bottom of the plant.