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