Russian sage
Salvia yangii
RHS Plants for Pollinators; MBG Plant of Merit 2000
USDA zones5 to 9
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size3 to 4 feet tall3 to 4 feet wide
- Habit
- Erect
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Blue, purple
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Russian sage (Salvia yangii) is a perennial for borders, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, and xeriscaping. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes full sun and dry to average, sandy, loamy, or chalky soil. Its gray-silver foliage is fragrant, and blue to purple flowers bloom in summer and again in autumn. It is not a favorite of deer or rabbits, though hungry ones will eat almost anything. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds visit the flowers.
Pairs well with Coneflower, Walker's Low catmint, Moonbeam coreopsis, and Yarrow.
Native range
Central Asia, Asia, and Xinjiang.