Russian sage roots best from softwood cuttings taken in early summer. The blooms may also decline in the plant, not blooming as vigorously or with smaller flowers. Transplanting Russian Sage Once the Russian sage cuttings have rooted, it's time to prepare them for being transplanted into the garden. Q. Transplanting Russian Sage - When is the best time to transplant Russian sage plants? Move Russian sage immediately, preventing dry roots. She writes for several websites, specializing in gardening, medical, health and fitness, entertainment and travel. You should be able to see a soil line on the plant, just above the roots. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recommends gathering cuttings that are 4 to 6 inches long. The deciduous subshrub has silvery-gray leaves that give off a pungent smell when they are bruised of crushed, Late in the growing season, the plant grows spires of small, tube-shaped lavender flowers. You should be able to see a soil line on the plant, just above the roots. transplanting russian sage. Dig a large perimeter around the plant, taking as much soil and root system with you as you can. Poke a 2-inch-deep hole in the growing medium and stick the bottom of the cutting into the hole. Water thoroughly. If the legal status of the plant is in question, it's safer not to propagate it at home. I may move that one too :) Like; Save; Related Stories. The soil must be kept slightly moist but not too soggy. Choose a location with very well-drained soil of average fertility in full sun. Cut stems back by two-thirds prior to … All Rights Reserved. Q. Check out the root system on this Russian sage cutting in the picture below! In less than two weeks there was significant rooting and all 9 cuttings successfully rooted. Propagating Subshrubs. Often what seems like the flowers on Russian sage are actually the calyx,a tube that protects the flowers from damage before they bloom. Plant seeds 1/8-1/4 inch deep. Join now. Set the Russian sage in the center of the hole, so that the plant is as deep as it was before you dug it up. In this manner of pruning, some or all of the old, large stems are removed near the ground level. Additionally, its coloration is a perfect foil for hot and cool color combinations, or buffering the two extremes. Transplanting Russian sage (also known as Perovskia atriplicifolia) can take place any time during the growing season. Russian sage leaves and flowers all share a similar appearance, but some cultivars have been bred with unique characteristics. Overwinter the cuttings in a cold frame or in an unheated room near a very bright window. The North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service recommends growing Russian sage where it will have 3 to 6 feet of space to spread out depending on the mature size of the cultivar. Sasha Degnan is a freelance writer and educator specializing in gardening and horticulture. The long panicles of flowers become increasingly brilliant as they open. Choose a new planting location that is in the full sun. Dig around the base of the plant, far enough away from the plant to allow room for the roots. Advice? Choose a new planting location that is in the full sun. This is where Russian sage grows best. If planting in a garden bed, give your native soil a boost of nutrients by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Gently work the plant loose from the ground, preserving the roots. Wear gloves when moving, as the leaves may irritate skin. Add a 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant. Shake the plant out to get rid of as much soil as possible. DIVIDING & TRANSPLANTING PERENNIALS IN THE FALL. The flowers themselves are actually very small bluish purple in color with a four lobed upper petal and a smaller lower petal. Russian sage is a member of the mint family. Proper spring Russian sage pruning prepares the way for a spectacular flower show. Large, budless stems should be cut to the ground. Cutting Top Of A Plant - Can I cut the top of this mahonia plant and … The fuzzy flowers are whorled around silver-gray stems, forming an unusual and eye-catching scene. The flowers bloom for two or three months before falling off. Find inspiring recipes for any level of cook, along with tips, tricks, videos, hacks, and healthy meal ideas for you and anyone lucky enough to get what you're making for dinner. Q. Hyacinth Bean Vine - Should you cut the vine down in the fall ? Russian sage can tolerate drought better than it can deal with wet conditions. Wait until soil is warm in the coldest regions. Carefully dig around roots, starting one foot away from the plant base. Snip the stems 1/4 to 1/2 inch below a set of leaves using small, sharp scissors and then remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting as well as any flowers or buds. Wear gloves as protection when you transplant a Russian sage. Space sage plants 18 to 24 inches apart in an area that gets plenty of sunlight and has rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. 1 Response. Use the shears to cut them down to a height of about 6 inches tall. Based in New York State, Kelly Shetsky started writing in 1999. Although commonly known as Russian sage, the seven known species of this plant are not native to Russia but grow in an area stretching from Iran to India on open, well-drained, rock-strewn ground. However, it may die back in the winter and pruning to remove dead or week branches may be necessary. It also tolerates alkaline conditions and is a good choice for seaside gardens. Perovskia (russian sage) is a tough plant. One of the main reasons people have trouble growing lavender is improper pruning. Mar 16, 2015 - Russian sage is a perennial plant that can easily be transplanted to a well-draining soil location with proper care. Spacing. Inside the tube is a clean white color. Old lavender bush showing the leggy, leafless lower stems, by Robert Pavlis. Transplanting established Russian sage can be tricky. There are many plants that make good compliments to Russian sage including white phlox, black-eyed Susan, and coreopsis. Patented varieties of Russian sage cannot be legally propagated by home gardeners during the life of the patent. These are signs that the plant is ready to be revived by division. When I cut them back, I usually take the cuttings and stick them in the ground. Russian Sage seems to always have buds at ground level. Russian sage should be cut back just before leafing out next spring. Thanks for your question. Space holes 18 inches apart if you're planting more than one. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is one of my favorite plants.It is a staple in my design work. Fill 8-inch pots with a moistened mixture of equal parts sterile compost, perlite and coarse sand. Russian sage can be propagated by division every three years in the spring season or fall. She is a broadcast journalist-turned Director of Marketing and Public Relations and has experience researching, writing, producing and reporting. Space holes 18 inches apart if you're planting more than one. Not to be outdone by its flowers, the plant's stems and foliage make a strong statement of their own, perhaps even outstrippi… Q. Bromelaides - What and where is the bromelaid cup? Cut back Russian sage plants in the spring to create a less floppy, more compact plant. Growing Russian sage with less than eight hours of direct sun per day encourages flopping, though … It can take a month or two for roots to form. Russian sage comes in several cultivars, including Blue Mist (Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Mist'), Longin (Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Longin') and smaller varieties such as Baby Blue Jean (Petrovskia atriplicifolia 'Baby Blue Jean'), which grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 9. Softwood cuttings wilt easily and should be potted as soon as possible after gathering, so prepare the rooting pots beforehand. Divide the Russian sage by pulling the roots apart gently. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service: Salvia yangii, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Plant of the Month - Russian Sage, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: Propagation of Deciduous Shrubs from Softwood Cuttings, Monrovia Nursery: Blue Jean Baby Russian Sage, Starting the Cuttings From Lonicera Sempervirens. Set the Russian sage in the center of the hole, so that the plant is as deep as it was before you dug it up. This is where Russian sage grows best. Divide the plant into two or three. I had good luck transplanting them until about the end of June if the weather is not too hot and I keep them watered. The one I'm moving is the basic Russian Sage. Transplanting a Sage Plant When the cutting has built roots and has grown stronger, it can be planted from the pot directly into your outside soil or container. It grows spikes of spring flowers in different colors, including purple, blue, white, and pink. I would recommend transplanting while the plant is dormant. Fertilizer. Watering. You will be able to see buds starting to swell. Shetsky has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Marist College. Russian sage stems can reach 2-to-4 feet high. Dig cautiously and if you see roots, pull the shovel out and move it further away from the plant. Allow at least 18 inches between each plant. Cut them back before you do and make sure you get a good root system. Russian sage is a member of the mint family. The best method to prune each of these is often called "rejuvenation" pruning. I know they don't need much water, if any, under normal conditions. The plant's roots are usually very intertwined, so spend time untangling them. Gradually decrease watering while also exposing the cuttings to stronger and more direct sunlight. In full sun, your plant will have denser growth which will help support the tall stems. Russian sage forms a purple haze in gardens starting in mid- to late summer with its purple spires of bloom. Many of these unique varieties are the patented property of the breeder, which is the case with Baby Blue Jean Russian sage, according to Monrovia Nursery. Russian sage Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. In my experience, Russian sage is a fast-growing plant. Give sage plants 18-24 inches between plants. Perovskia (russian sage) is a tough plant. can i transplant russian sage in the fall. Sage grows well in pots and you can move them around to catch the sun. Russian sage is a woody subshrub.Although its branches are woody, like a shrub, the top portion of the plant may die back in cold winters. Soak the root ball in a container full of water to keep them moist during the transplantation process. Will Russian Sage branches create roots if soaked in water and root starter or does it need to be dug up from the roots? Dig a hole that is as wide and deep as the transplant's root mass. It performs best within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3a to 9a, where it will tolerate drought and hot conditions with little trouble. The best time to move Russian sage is in early spring. Growing Russian sage in partly shaded locations may cause the plants to sprawl. How to Cut a Rosemary Bush Stem to Grow a New Bush. Since it can get tall and a bit floppy, some recommend cutting again to 6 inches when the plant is 12 inches tall. Dig a hole for each division, using a shovel or a trowel, and plant the newly-divided Russian sage in a sunny spot in your garden. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Russian sage does not tolerate being transplanted and must be propagated using softwood cuttings rather than by making divisions. Russian sage grows in a spreading form, which makes division and transplantation sometimes necessary. The blooms have darker markings from the upper petal into the tube. Press the medium against the stem. Set out new plants in early spring, spacing them 2 to 3 feet (.6-.9 m.) apart. Russian sage is not in active bloom when the buds are dry, even though it may still look active. In the case of the Russian sage, the calyx is covered in coar… Asked September 7, 2013, 6:17 PM EDT. Dig a hole that is as wide and deep as the transplant's root mass. Trim the clump of Russian sage with pruners or kitchen shears, leaving about 3 to 4 inches intact. The plant will likely go into shock after transplanting and could take a few months to come out of it. I often use Perovskia in masses to create a rhythm in large scale planting beds. Do not plant Russian sage in heavy clay, wet soil. Shovel soil around the roots and tamp it down to remove air pockets. It can cause root rot. What is the Step-by-Step Procedure of Rooting Blueberry Plants? Websites? With full sun and regular deep water, it will constantly produce new stem growth around the base. Gently work the plant loose from the ground, preserving the roots. The plant’s upright nature lends to incorporating well with ornamental grasses. Can Lavender Grow Without Rooting Hormones? Natrona County Wyoming. Sage is a hardy perennial with pretty, grayish green leaves that like as good in a perennial border as they do in a vegetable garden. You can move it to any soil, but be sure to fill the extra space in with black soil. Side dress growing sage with high-nitrogen fertilizer about 6-8 weeks after you put plants in the ground. Perhaps because it is in partial sun.. Russian sage is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant shrub, making it a great choice for xeriscaping. by | Dec 4, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 comments | Dec 4, 2020 | Uncategorized | 0 comments Either fall or spring, but wait until the blooms are done. Caring for Sage. The process is simple and will yield a transplantable young plant by the following autumn. Tap the bottom of the pot against a hard surface to settle the medium and collapse any air pockets. Right now, (Sept) Russian Sage is heavily flowering, can it be successfully transplanted this time of year? She has nearly 25 years of experience in the propagation and care of plants.. This bush produces panicles of small, bluish-lavender flowers throughout the summer. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Rooting Russian sage from cuttings. Once the Russian sage cuttings have rooted, it's time to prepare them for being transplanted into the garden. A couple weeks ago I took nine cuttings of Russian sage that were about 4 inches long and placed them in sand after putting some rooting hormone on the cut end. Russian sage benefits from a yearly application of balanced fertilizer in spring. Transplant it in the spring, just as growth is about to begin. Step 1 Make sure the plant isn't in active bloom and that the buds are dry. It looks great when paired with ornamental grasses as well as white or yellow flowering perennials. Chris . Russian sage, or Perovskia, is a late summer blooming perennial that bursts into flower like a cloud of blue.It goes from a hazy, pale blue to a jubilant azure. If you are growing a Russian sage plant from seed, start indoors in early spring and transplant the seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. This perennial plant grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, and grows best in full sun with well-draining soil that's dry or has medium moisture. Search the name of the variety of Russian sage that you hope to propagate using the U.S. Patent Office website or a search engine. Russian sage is hardy in USDA plant hardiness Zones 5 through 10. You can move it to any soil, but be sure to fill the extra space in with black soil. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Russian sage does not usually need dividing but if it is too large to transplant, you may need to slice through center of the plant and transplant smaller sections instead. Remove the plastic bag covering the pot so they can acclimate to lower levels of humidity. When is the best time to do it? Where to plant: A sunny spot in well-drained soil is all this plant asks for, making it ideal for hot, dry climates. Set the Russian sage in the center of the hole, so that the plant is as deep as it was before you dug it up. Foot-long flower heads infuse strong drama into plantings. Where to Use Russian Sage Russian sage works well in the middle or back border of a garden or landscape. I also have a 2 yr old Little Spire, but this one is an 'underperformer' for me. Dust the leafless portion of the stem in rooting hormone powder. Russian sage grows in a spreading form, which makes division and transplantation sometimes necessary. Transplant them into individual 1-gallon nursery containers filled with potting soil in autumn. Cut back Russian sage plants in the spring to create a less floppy, more compact plant. I have two Russian Sage bushes in my yard and my neighbor would like some of it in her’s. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia or Salvia yangii) adds mellow color to gardens in late summer and autumn with its smoky silver foliage and delicate blue flowers, which make it stand out among the more common warm-toned fall perennials. Sage is a perennial that grows to about 20 inches, so plan for its size. Its long blooming period is valued by those who seek a flower bed that remains in bloom throughout the growing season. Check soil moisture every few days and water once the top inch of soil becomes dry. Grow the cuttings under nursery conditions for the summer and then transplant them into a permanent bed in autumn. Not all sage varieties are culinary; the most popular kitchen sage is called Salvia officinalis. Check for roots in four to five weeks by gently pushing aside the soil to see if small, white roots have formed. Use a water-soluble fertilizer applied at half strength according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Cut back to 6 inches, making sure there are several live buds left on the stem. Place the Russian sage cuttings under bright, indirect light and cover the pot with a plastic bag. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. I'll move it today, but should I give it more water than usual the first few weeks? 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And has experience researching, writing, producing and reporting end of June if the is... Plants in early spring q. transplanting Russian sage can tolerate drought better than it can get and! A good root system to stronger and more direct sunlight moist but not too.! See a soil line on the plant is ready to be dug up from the plant will have growth... Poke a 2-inch-deep hole in the full sun and regular deep water, if any, under normal conditions dead... At ground level to fill the extra space in with black soil it also tolerates alkaline conditions and a! Sage that you hope to propagate it at home phlox, black-eyed Susan, and.! Some or all of the patent extra space in with black transplanting russian sage move Russian sage is member! About to begin month or two for roots in four to five weeks gently... The patent have buds at ground level a search engine favorite plants.It is a plant. With restricted irrigation, its growth will also be restricted cautiously and if you planting! The way for a spectacular flower show gathering, so plan for size... Get 12 months for the summer and then transplant them into a permanent bed in autumn in gardens starting mid-! A cold transplanting russian sage or in an unheated room near a very bright window than two weeks there was significant and. Soil must be kept slightly moist but not too soggy, forming an unusual and eye-catching scene is. To 2-inch layer of mulch around the roots will help support the tall stems plants thrive in Hardiness! And collapse any air pockets soil line on the stem either fall or spring, but be sure to the... Set out new plants in early spring, spacing them 2 to 3 feet (.6-.9 m. ).... Know they do n't need much water, if any, under normal conditions to swell are removed the... Compact plant flowers all share a similar appearance, but should i give it more water than usual the few! Journalist-Turned Director of Marketing and Public Relations and has experience researching, writing, producing and reporting cutting...