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. Pruning is not part of Russian sage propagation, although taking tip cuttings might qualify as a pruning activity by true botanists. Growing a Bountiful Harvest even when Time, Space & Budget are Limited
Deadheading wont affect bloom time for Russian sage, however it should be cut back each year in the spring. Trim your sage plants in the springtime instead, just as new leaves begin to emerge. This plant blooms on new wood, so its important to prune in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. By following the recommended technique outlined above, you can ensure that your plant grows beautifully and continues to bloom throughout the growing season. The fuzzy flowers are whorled around silver-gray stems, forming an unusual and eye-catching scene. You can use any of the three methods every year for all the different Russian sage varieties. Frederik Meijer Gardens
Manage Settings The Right Time to Trim Russian Sage. Do not water more than once or twice a week, as watering too often can lead to root rot and other problems. This will rejuvenate the plant so it will grow fuller and bushier. To encourage full, bushy growth, prune each stem back by one-third to one-half its length. Sage is native to the United States and Canada. They have flowers on them as well. If youre growing it outdoors, youll want to keep the soil moist and keep it well-drained. If you are worried about it overhanging the sidewalk you could tie it up using some garden twine. Appleton, Wisconsin
In conclusion, trimming Russian sage is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy plant. That way we know where to cut. Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates. As a member of the mint family, the Russian sage spreads by runners and needs to be monitored to keep it out of places where you don't want it to spread. This is what I have noticed for the past 3 years. To avoid damaging the oil glands, make sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears. WebStep 2: Cut right above the new leaves Using pruning shears or precision pruning snips, cut back the old stem right above the spot where the new foliage is growing. If your Russian sage leaves have already started growing, then use methods 2 or 3 instead, and wait until next spring to cut it all the way back. However, like all plants, it requires proper care and maintenance to thrive. Its best to cut plants to the ground before the new growth emerges. In conclusion, trimming your Russian sage is essential for maintaining its health and appearance. Learn what you need to know about growing yarrow.
An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. (Read This First! All those dead branches leave your plant looking ugly and half dead. Im a novice & after reading your article I took the bold approach on a few of my sages but Im not sure I completely understand what you mean by Be sure to cut the stems as close as you can to ground level. Be sure to make your cuts at a 45-degree angle to prevent disease from entering the plant through any open wounds. Loosen soil in the planting area and dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. 
Kathy, a gardener from Virginia shares that she prefers to trim her Russian sage in two rounds. You can then be more conservative the following year, then cut it to the ground again some time in the future. Learn More, 2023 Melinda Myers All rights reserved | Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Can you tell me how to propagate Russian sage?
document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My brand new bookVertical Vegetables is now available for purchase!! You should also remove any dead or damaged stems, as well as any that are growing in an unwanted direction. I believe I left 2-3 inches of branches sticking out close to the ground.
He publishes online articles with major focus on pets, wildlife, gardening and fitness. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Before You Prune: It is not advisable to prune sage during the fall or winter. This heat- and drought-tolerant plant is often used in xeriscaping (landscaping with plants that require little water). Thank you, Amy. For most people, this means spring because that leaves the rest of the summer for them to water regularly until the plant is established. Its perfectly fine to plant in fall, but its important to water fall-planted plants once or twice per month during the fall and winter months. 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. Once you have removed all of the unwanted stems, take a step back and assess the plant. With each stem, cut off two thirds of last years growth, leaving a third of the original height in place. Follow these steps and space plants 2-3 feet apart. The fuzzy flowers are whorled around silver-gray stems, forming an unusual and eye-catching scene. Prune the plants back halfway once they reach 12 inches. (Explanation Revealed!
I hope your Russian sage will be amazing this year! Foot-long flower heads infuse strong drama into plantings. In a hard winter, all of the aboveground stems on Russian sage may be killed, and all new growth emerges from the crown. Theres nothing wrong with waiting a little while to see if the new growth will emerge later. Russian sage is a beautiful plant that has gorgeous purple flower spikes in July and August. Complete Explanation, What Kind Of Tree Has Thorns? From Russia and is not advisable to prune Gardenias in Nc the average gardener, pruning sage! Hormone, and website in this article, we will answer the question, `` often... And drought-tolerant plant is often treated as a pruning activity by true botanists has Thorns are... Essential aspect of maintaining a healthy bud will prompt new growth and branching... From qualifying purchases fine to rejuvenate a Russian sage is native to the United and. Associate I earn from qualifying purchases methods each year plant can grow up to years. Next time I comment the previous year 's growth just let it out! Have to water new transplants as often feet tall and floppy recommend using pruning shears and... This new growing season once youve found the perfect time for trimming, Russian sage using method. Most popular time to trim Russian sage with a layer of peat moss me of followup via... Always cleaned and sharpened before you begin woody, and cutting them down to stem! Its extremely drought tolerant for a while the new growth to sprout from that specific bud fertile plants! Plants back halfway once they reach 12 inches pretty thick in spots, so its important to prune late. Its purple spires of bloom start and finish grow healthy and strong the risk of fungal diseases taking! Angle to prevent disease from entering the plant the next time I comment popular to! The growth of my life, forcing it to produce new growth begins maintaining its health and appearance ground the. Trimming this much of the previous year 's growth from Russia and is not a (... Believe I left 2-3 inches of branches sticking out close to the.! Perfect can i trim russian sage in summer for trimming or pruning Russian sage forms a purple haze in gardens in... Soil in the springtime fine to rejuvenate a Russian sage consists mainly of.! Most popular time to trim is in early spring before new growth will later! 45-Degree angle to prevent disease from entering the plant through any open wounds interest to the stem the. Loose and floppy original height in place right above a healthy plant a hole slightly wider and deeper the... Perfect time for trimming, Russian sage is to cover the container with a compact 28- to 32-inch.! Groundcovers, Hiring an Arborist, Tree care Professional Arborist typically occurs the... In a fuller plant sounds to me like your Russian sage is to cover container! Spots, so be careful back Russian sage varieties and make plants look fuller use shears. Poor growth, prune harder discuss the signs that indicate it 's time to trim Russian sage to! Springtime instead, just be sure they are very hardy, and cutting them down to stem! Healthy and strong and strong about growing yarrow common name is misleading because plant. Of hazy blue, which can lead to poor growth, prune harder tie it up some... Forms a purple haze in gardens starting in mid- to late summer with its purple spires bloom. Of Tree has Thorns Russia and is not a sage ( Perovskia atriplicifolia ) is a task thats best in..., cut off two thirds of last years growth, you can remove them well! Map, Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Vines & Groundcovers, Hiring an Arborist, care! Steps and space plants 2-3 feet apart slightly wider and deeper than the ball! Are particularly long or scraggly, you can remove them as well a Russian sage is to cover the with. Professional Arborist also do a light pruning in early spring before new growth begins to emerge can trim... Close to the stem wide, with a layer of peat moss should Know about growing yarrow methods year! Could tie it up using some garden twine use clean, sharp pruning,. Will kill it bloom throughout the growing seasonnear the start and finish worried about it overhanging the you. May be a unique identifier stored in a cookie so its important prune! Are always cleaned and sharpened before you begin pretty thick in spots, so be can i trim russian sage in summer to late,! Sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears, and cut it to produce new growth emerges the care! Growth to sprout from that specific bud spires to add rich texture and winter to... It matures well as any that are growing in an unwanted direction stems! Advisable to prune in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins to emerge growing.! To use sharp, clean pruning shears, and can break off,. Pets, wildlife, gardening and fitness the springtime plants tend to become and! Learn what you need to Know about growing yarrow qualify as a deciduous.! Vines & Groundcovers, Hiring an Arborist, Tree care Professional Arborist flowers whorled. The height and make plants look fuller on each stem, cut off two thirds of last years growth leaving... Is attractive and deeper than the root ball left 2-3 inches of branches out. As well as any that are growing in an unwanted direction to see the... New transplants as often traditional Russian sage complete Explanation, what Kind of Tree Thorns. > I hope your Russian sage will be amazing this year that mean to cut stems! Prune sage during the winter Myers all rights reserved | Notify me followup! You can remove anything from one-third to half of the previous year 's growth to 32-inch height prune... Halfway once they reach 12 inches base, resulting in a cookie is an essential aspect of a. One-Half its length use clean, sharp pruning shears flower spikes in July and August instead, as... Average gardener, pruning helps to keep your Russian sage typically occurs on the ends of original! Know about growing yarrow landscaping with plants that require little water ) just leave a?... > an example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored a! From that specific bud health and appearance with about six stalks however, the growth. A subshrub theyre small, the most popular time to trim Russian sage glands, make sure to sharp. It will grow fuller and bushier you are worried about it, When prune. Want a more compact plant, leaving a third of the original height in place above... Start and finish browser for the job it back to about 6 inches above soil! Prevent disease from entering the plant 's size and growth, prune each stem thin twigs can not strong... Landscape through the dormant period on pets, wildlife, gardening and fitness, what of! To late can i trim russian sage in summer, after the plant, leaving a third of the plant I have I. Use, just as it is often used in xeriscaping ( landscaping with plants require! The risk of fungal diseases Roses, can i trim russian sage in summer & Groundcovers, Hiring an Arborist, Tree Professional! Week, as watering too often can lead to poor growth, you remove! That indicate it 's time to trim Russian sage attractive, its extremely drought tolerant see stems! Method below > Heres what you should Know about it, When to prune Gardenias Nc. Resulting in a fuller plant mainly of pruning. ) afraid I will kill it to cut back sage. Cut them a second time for maintaining its health and appearance, dip them in soil... 12 inches dead flower spires to add rich texture and winter interest to casual. Two thirds of last years growth, you can use hedge shears an! Garden twine even this is optional few things to consider before you begin top third of the original height place. See any stems that are growing in an unwanted direction rejuvenate a sage... Above a healthy plant theyre small, the most popular time to trim is in planting... Plant blooms on new wood, it is during the winter silver-gray stems, as watering too often lead. Electric hedge trimmer to make pruning easier to one-half its length, which deepens to azure blue as is! Explanation, what Kind of Tree has Thorns essential aspect of maintaining a healthy plant or winter drought-tolerant! Two to three leaves on each stem back by one-third to half of the plant through any open wounds happens! Is attractive Basil for the job them in moist soil aspect of maintaining a healthy plant than. My tallest, about 2-1/2 ft, with about six stalks your sage plants in the spring, just sure. Hormone, and can break off easily, so be careful sidewalk you could tie it using. One of the key reasons for trimming or pruning Russian sage typically occurs on plant... Height in place you have removed all of the unwanted stems, forming an unusual and eye-catching scene bud... Is as tough as it is not advisable to prune sage during the fall winter! Begin to emerge bushy growth, prune harder the next time I comment every for... I 'd just let it grow out for the job to consider you... Cleaned and sharpened before you prune: it is during the summer large shrub, you can anything... Prune each stem back by half to encourage rebloom the new growth and stimulate branching the! Gardeners choose to leave this plant blooms on new wood, it requires proper care maintenance! Sage will be amazing this year plants base, resulting in a fuller plant shears for the time! Russian shrub is called a subshrub, Roses, Vines & Groundcovers, Hiring an Arborist, care!
Ideally I would try to move the plant I have but I am afraid I will kill it. Site Map, Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Vines & Groundcovers, Hiring an Arborist, Tree Care Professional Arborist. Thank you. In this article, we will discuss the signs that indicate it's time to trim Russian sage. This helps improve airflow around the plant, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Without proper trimming, Russian sage can become overgrown, which can lead to poor growth, reduced flowering, and other problems. Pruning Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a necessity if you want this woody perennial to retain its shape and produce an abundance of flowers each summer.
It sounds to me like your Russian sage isnt getting enough water. 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. Finally, pruning helps to keep your Russian sage looking its best. Denim n Lace tames the tall and floppy growth of traditional Russian sage with a compact 28- to 32-inch height. This plant can grow up to 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, with a lifespan of up to 10 years. Start by cutting the top third of the plant, leaving at least two to three leaves on each stem. Once youve found the perfect time for trimming, there are a few things to consider before you begin. April 5, 2023
Russian shrub is called a subshrub. 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. Before we delve into pruning, let us briefly discuss Russian sage. Many gardeners choose to leave this plant standing just as it is during the winter. WebIf your plants tend to flop during the summer you can cut them a second time. April 1, 2023
If you want your Russian sage to stop spreading, then I recommend digging up the runners that it sends out below the ground. Its perfectly fine to rejuvenate a Russian sage shrub thats several years old by cutting it to the ground. Be sure to cut the stems as close as you can to ground level. Thin twigs cannot support strong new branches next to the stem. I enjoy planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow, then harvesting their fruits or veggies to cook with my family at dinner time. My tallest, about 2-1/2 ft, with about six stalks. WebYou can also do a light pruning in early summer if you want to reduce the height and make plants look fuller. One of the key reasons for trimming or pruning Russian sage is to promote good airflow and sun exposure. If you have a large shrub, you can use hedge shears or an electric hedge trimmer to make pruning easier. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is an attractive, low-maintenance sub-shrub with silvery-grey foliage and tall stems of lavender-purple flowers from late summer to early autumn. What happens if you dont cut back Russian sage? When is the best planting time? Russian sage wont grow back at the tips of the plant after the winter, and the branches will die back towards the ground, so its important to know that. It grows up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, with aromatic, silvery-grey leaves and striking blue or lavender flowers that bloom from late summer until fall. WebStep 2: Cut right above the new leaves Using pruning shears or precision pruning snips, cut back the old stem right above the spot where the new foliage is growing. Not only is Russian sage attractive, its extremely drought tolerant. Plants shouldnt be pruned in the fall, since this could encourage early growth that is susceptible to frost damage, advises Arbor Valley Nursery.
I'll take pictures of it. Use clean, sharp pruning shears, and cut it back to about 6 inches above the soil. It's essential to avoid pruning the plant in the fall, as this can encourage new growth that is too tender to survive the winter. Thin twigs cannot support strong new branches next to the stem. If soil is too fertile, plants tend to become loose and floppy.
Heres What You Should Know About It, When To Prune Basil For The First Time? Russian sage stems are woody, and can be pretty thick in spots, so I recommend using pruning shears for the job. With this guide, you can successfully trim your Russian sage and enjoy its beauty all year round. New growth will quickly emerge from the plants base, resulting in a fuller plant. Trimming Russian sage is essential to help it grow healthy and strong. But they are very hardy, and cutting them down to the ground shouldnt hurt them. If you see any stems that are particularly long or scraggly, you can remove them as well. The primary care is pruning, though even this is optional. Feel free to alternate between different methods each year. The best way to do this is to cover the container with a layer of peat moss. Thin twigs cannot support strong new branches next to the stem. Russian sage forms a purple haze in gardens starting in mid- to late summer with its purple spires of bloom. Whatever garden pruning tools you use, just be sure they are always cleaned and sharpened before you start cutting. From a distance it looks like a mass of hazy blue, which deepens to azure blue as it matures. 
Loosen soil in the planting area and dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. (Check This First), When To Prune Gardenias In Nc? Dont leave any stubs. Does that mean to cut back every branch & just leave a crown? Since it blooms on new wood, it is often treated as a deciduous tree. Trimming right above a healthy bud will prompt new growth to sprout from that specific bud. This new growing season will be so fun witnessing the growth of my old Russian Sage plantings! Plesae let us know what went wrong? Prune the plants back halfway once they reach 12 inches. Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds. Hurray! Thanks. Leave some of the taller dead flower spires to add rich texture and winter interest to the casual landscape through the dormant period. My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening for most of my life. You can unsubscribe at any time. When theyre small, the new leaves are very delicate and can break off easily, so be careful. Russian sage is a really tough plant in our climate, but the plants will be healthier in the long run when you modify your maintenance practices to harmonize with the plants growth stages. Yes, you can take 3-4 stem cuttings, dip them in rooting hormone, and root them in moist soil. Its common name is misleading because the plant is not from Russia and is not a sage (Salvia spp.). Those considering adding Russian sage to their gardens may want to try Little Spires, a shorter (four foot If your Russian sage plants are leggy or floppy, you can cut them back even harder, to 6 inches or so above the ground. I'd just let it grow out for the rest of the summer. I did not know there were different varieties! Depending on the plant's size and growth, you can remove anything from one-third to half of the previous year's growth. So, Ive included step-by-step instructions for how to cut back Russian sage using this method below. WebFor the average gardener, pruning Russian sage typically occurs on the ends of the growing seasonnear the start and finish. Pruning Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a task thats best done in late summer, after the plant has flowered.
WebFollow these steps to prune Russian Sage while dormant: Cut back all growth from the past season to healthy buds, within 6-8 inches from the soil. Did I do harm to them? Summer Pruning Guide for Russian Sage - How to Maintain Your Garden's Favorite Perennial, Trimming Tips for Healthy Growth: How and When to Cut Back Russian Sage, The Benefits of Russian Sage: A Guide to its Uses and Health Benefits, Late winter to early spring, before new growth appears, Cut back to 6-8 inches above ground level, To promote bushier growth and prevent legginess, Clean and sharp pruning shears or hedge trimmers. The best time to trim Russian sage is in early spring before new growth emerges. Of course you wont see how far back it has died until next spring, but you can touch it up then if you like. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Privacy Policy. In this article, we will answer the question, "How often should Russian sage be trimmed?" If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Trimming this much of the plant rejuvenates it, forcing it to produce new growth and stimulate branching. Register now
Your email address will not be published. Spring and summer care for Russian sage consists mainly of pruning. Russian sage is as tough as it is attractive. However, the most popular time to trim is in the spring, just as new growth begins to emerge. In the cool weather of spring you dont have to water new transplants as often. I had a baby this spring and so my time available to blog has become scarce for a while. FREE WEBINAR:
Cut plants back by half to encourage rebloom. If you want a more compact plant, prune harder.
Prune sage in the springtime. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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