Hardiness: Russian Sage is a perennial that is hardy to zone 3. Site perennial flowering Russian sage in a sunny spot with well-draining soil for a hazy purple backdrop in a garden border. The bright reddish-pink petals of its huge flowers are held flat as they radiate out from the cone, instead of curving backward as is typical of most coneflowers. Phlox varieties belong to the Polemoniaceae family, producing colorful blossoms ranging from white to purple. 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. The fuzzy flowers are whorled around silver-gray stems, forming an unusual and eye-catching scene. Echinacea makes a wonderful cut flower for floral arrangements. I had no idea there was a plant patent on Russian Sage. Good Companion Plants for Russian Sage Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susans), Echinacea (coneflower), Verbena, Achillea (Yarrow), Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Daylilies, Asiatic lilies, Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ . Not only is it heat and drought-resistant, but deer, rabbits, and most other pests steer clear of it. Echinacea purpurea is the native coneflower to North America but there are varieties with many different bloom colors. They attract pollinating insects and add statuesque color to a perennial flower garden. Russian sage requires full sun, and a free-draining soil. Russian sage is a long-blooming perennial for a sunny, dry site. Because they are native, they are very adaptable to the existing conditions and do not require as much care as introduced species. Coneflower (Echinacea) – Leave the seed heads up in winter for wildlife and then trim the stems to the basal foliage and simply clean up the remaining foliage in spring. Use it in dry landscapes with other desert plants or in gardens filled with natives. Considered a weed in some areas, goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) compliments Russian sage with its clusters of small yellow flowers. When contemplating what to plant with coneflowers, consider other flowering plants as well as foliage superstars to enhance their beauty. Russian Sage; Catmint; Foliage Accents for Coneflowers. Very nice background in the cottage garden. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Texas School of Biological Sciences: Ratibida columnifera, University of Minnesota Extension: Tall Garden Phlox for Minnesota Gardens. Echinacea produces a rayed flower that spans 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm.) Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Echinacea is native to the central and eastern parts of North America. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Black-eyed susans grow to 3 feet, adding height along with the Russian sage in a garden or landscape. Colorful native plants for Texas landscaping design planted under a Dessert Willow tree. Design Ideas Although it is from Russia, this lovely airy plant has the rangy character of Western sagebrush. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Purple coneflower looks especially brilliant with orange and yellow annuals or perennials like cosmos, butterfly weed, Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susans), and goldenrod. Russian Sage (Perovskia) used to be called the Lavender of the South for its color, scent, and tolerance of heat and drought. Many of the new coleuscultivars are now just as happy in sun as they are in shade. Phlox does well in open, full-sun areas and well-drained, but moist, soil conditions. Award-winner Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' is a sun-loving perennial that stands out with its bold, giant flowers whose rosy purple petals are held out flat rather than drooping like most coneflowers. April 23, 2008 at 4:39 am. Echinacea, comonly known as Coneflower are bright, upright, and tough perennials! Black-eyed susans grow to 3 feet, adding height along with the Russian sage in a garden or landscape. Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a plant that was tailor-made for Colorado’s climate and growing conditions.An import from central Asia, Russian sage thrives in our high, dry climate, bright sunshine and alkaline soils. Russian sage can be used in the garden in many ways. Some varieties grow to 7 feet tall, making it an excellent height companion to Russian sage. These easy bloomers are hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 9. It loves sun and tolerates drought; it's deer and rabbit resistant. A silver-foliaged plant like an Artemisia or a Dusty Miller makes a particularly nice addition to the two. Echinacea is a hardy perennial, belonging to the Asteraceae family. 15. A valuable plant for the Santa Fe style or even as a Mediterranean plant for that Tuscan garden of your dreams. Russian Sage is a tall plant with an airy, texturally-rich habit, and pairs beautifully with perennials that can match its height and pull out its color, such as coneflowers or tall verbena. The Russian Sage will look good and requires similar care to plants like Coneflowers , Threadleaf Coreopsis , Daylilies, and other late bloomers. Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' Propagated by seed, hence flowers are various of shades red, orange … Other native coneflower companion plants include: If you want to bring in the bees, butterflies and other pollinators, a flowering and fruiting garden can help and there are many brightly colored choices. Hybrid perennial sage, a relative of the herb garden favorite, combines 18-inch spikes of blue, purple, or white perennial flowers with attractive gray-green foliage. Outstanding blue green leaves or burgundy foliage offer options for contrast. These are all plants on my mental wish list. Add color and height to a mixed container planting. Excellent choice for cut flowers with their long, strong stems. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a hardy perennial plant that produces long-lasting blue flowers from summer to fall. It is also a member of the Asteraceae family. Liatris The tall, spiky flower stalks of Liatris combine well with the broad blooms of Coneflower… Perovski, a Russian governor, and its scent mimics sage, it is not native to Russia nor is it a member of the Salvia genus. Its cool-colored flowers and foliage combine well with reds, oranges, and yellows; its fine-textured foliage is a good foil for plants with coarser leaves, such as coneflower (Echinacea), black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia), iris, aster, and … Phlox varieties belong to the Polemoniaceae family, producing colorful blossoms ranging from white to purple. Although it is named after B.A. Ornamental grasses that prefer sunny, well-drained soil are excellent Echinacea companions. Naima Manal's articles on health, diet, nutrition, alternative medicine, education, parenting, crafts, travel, home and garden and home improvement have appeared on various websites. Taller varieties are great for the back of the border. 16. The stairstep arrangement will look attractive, and the foreground plants will help keep taller Russian sage from sprawling. Lacey Blue Russian Sage was discovered in a self-pollinated seedling mixture of Perovskia 'Blue Spire' in 2001, during a breeding project by Peter Catt in Liss, Hampshire, United Kingdom, with the goal of developing a more compact cultivar with stiff, upright flowering stems. Special features: Attracts butterflies, Cut flower, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Easy care, Fragrance, Heat tolerant, Long blooming. Plants like Russian sage, lavender, purple coneflower, lamb's ears, yarrow and blanket flower are all great for standing up to those rays of sunshine day in and day out. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) The blooms may be small on Russian sage, but they certainly are abundant. Water: Plant in well-drained soil And you’ll have a display of lavender flowers from July right through to October in the right setting. Plant in masses in borders, meadows, native plant and wildflower gardens. Shasta Daisy (Leucantheum x superbum) Daisies and spiked bloomers (Agastache and Echinacea) contrast flower shapes, with a nice color mix. Depending on the variety of coreopsis, its flowers have a deep orange-yellow color or are two-toned in color. 1998 Perennial Plant of the Year 36-48" tall x 18" wide (seed propagated). Echinacea is a hardy perennial, belonging to the Asteraceae family. Lily turf has strappy leaves, often variegated and is hardy in most zones. Phlox are perennial flowers that grow up to 3 feet tall. ... Russian Sage (Perovskia) – Russian sage is a woody perennial so they benefit from only a slight pruning to shape in the early spring. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) or purple coneflower compliments Russian sage with its height and purple/fuchsia flowers. Native plants are perfect for the perennial garden. The Perovskia is growable in zones 4 through 9 and can get by with little care or attention. Besides making an interesting cut flower, goldenrod has medicinal properties for topical wound healing and for internal conditions including diabetes, arthritis and asthma, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. One of the toughest drought-tolerant perennials, Russian sage offers fragrant silvery foliage and plumes of violet-purple blooms. Choose a perennial variety for companion planting with the Russian sage for a low-maintenance garden. HGTV.com showcases flowers for a cutting garden, including peony, iris, lily, purple coneflower, hosta, coralbells and lady’s mantle. It’s a pollinator-magnet and a perfect plant for those areas of poorer soil in your garden. Their movement and grace are perfect complements to coneflower’s bright beauty and there are numerous varieties from which to choose that often produce fascinating inflorescences to add double interest to the garden. It does well in the same soil conditions as Russian sage and also requires full sun. Russian Sage The blue flower spikes of Russian Sage and Coneflower are a pretty combination. Now, however, gardeners in the north have discovered how easy it is to grow, and it's so popular that we're wondering if Lavender will soon be known as the Russian Sage of the North! Companion plants for Echinacea should have similar cultural requirements and can create a bed with attractive blooms for any beneficial insect. Sign up for our newsletter. Perovskia atriplicifolia, commonly called Russian sage, is a woody-based perennial of the mint family which typically grows 2-4' (less frequently to 5') tall and features finely-dissected, aromatic (when crushed), gray-green leaves on stiff, upright, square stems and whorls of two-lipped, tubular, light blue flowers tiered in branched, terminal panicles (12-15" high). Echinacea makes a wonderful cut flower for floral arrangements. Proper spring Russian sage pruning prepares the way for a spectacular flower show. Manal received her Bachelor of Science in biology/pre-medical studies from Molloy College in 1994 and has been a freelance writer, teacher and homeschooling mom since 1993. Russian Sage grows up to four feet tall and three feet wide, though some varieties are more compact. They can take the heat and drought conditions once established ,deer resistant, and trouble free! Heuchera, or coral bells, are tough perennials with fluted leaves and numerous colors from which to choose. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! These cheery pinkish-purple flowers can grow up to 3 feet (.9 m.) in height with a similar spread. Good to Know: Use it as a backdrop for shorter plants. Spinning the color wheel a bit, black-eyed susans provides sharp yellow color contrast as a garden complement to Russian sage. I have some purple coneflowers started from seed that are doing well, but this would be so much fun to try in the future. It does well in the same soil conditions as Russian sage and also requires full sun. Another garden scheme to consider is to use all natives as companions for Echinacea. This is one of those plants in my garden that I pretty much ignore, other than admiring it. Companion planting with Echinacea isn’t just about the flowers. Russian sage belongs to a class of shrubs called subshrubs. Goldenrodprovides a cloud of lemony blooms, while sedum plants have puffs of pink to yellow flowers on hardy succulent bases. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) or purple coneflower compliments Russian sage with its height and purple/fuchsia flowers. Russian sage can be used in front of evergreen plantings to add some summertime color with a green backdrop. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a hardy perennial plant that produces long-lasting blue flowers from summer to fall. 15 thoughts on “Propagating Perennials: Russian Sage, Salvia, and Coneflower” Amy. Also known as upright prairie coneflower and Mexican hat, ratibida (Ratibida columnifera) is another coneflower of the Asteraceae family that grows well with Russian sage. An excellent native to pair with Echinacea is butterfly weed, or Asclepias. Coneflower a Perennial: Cone flowers Echinecea and sedum in the front. "Magnus" is a distinctive, vigorous and large growing Coneflower cultivar. New growth comes each year from a woody base, and flowering is on the new growth. Coreopsis varieties are either annuals or perennials and do well in full sun. To create a lively color bed, choose Echinacea companions that offer dimension as well as tones and textures that set off these stoic beauties. Lupinescome in an array of tones and are early season color, while hardy geranium creates a carpet of jewel tones and makes an excellent base plant in the bed. Other companion plants for Echinacea might be: Companion planting with Echinacea isn’t just about the flowers. Noteworthy Characteristics. It has bright orange blooms and does indeed attract butterflies. All it really needs is sunlight. Catmint Companion Plants: Tips On Planting Next To Catmint Herbs, Yellow Echinacea Care – Learn About Growing Yellow Coneflowers, Growing Oriental Poppies: Tips On How To Grow Oriental Poppy, Planting A Giving Garden: Food Bank Garden Ideas, Giving To Food Deserts – How To Donate To Food Deserts, December To-Do List – What To Do In December Gardens, Lemongrass Repotting: How To Repot Lemongrass Herbs, Growing Sunspot Sunflowers – Information About Dwarf Sunspot Sunflower, Overwintering Lantana Plants – Caring For Lantanas Over Winter, Pear Tree Not Leafing Out: Troubleshooting Pear Tree Leaf Problems, Recipes From The Garden: Pressure Cooking Root Vegetables, Gratitude For The Garden – Being Grateful For Each Growing Season, 7 Reasons To Do Your Garden Shopping Locally, Thankful Beyond Words – What Represents Gratefulness In My Garden. Blooming Russian Sage. Russian sage, black-eyed Susan, Shasta daisy, phlox and liatris make complimentary garden companions. Russian sage is a beautiful perennial with small blue flowers that is neither Russian nor sage.Though it has the aroma of sage when the leaves are crushed, the plant is inedible and actually can be quite poisonous. All Rights Reserved. Light: Full sun. Russian sage combines well with coarse-foliage flowers, such as coneflowers, phlox and Knock Out roses. The Russian Sage is a woody plant or shrub plant. Gaillardia has all the tones of a sunset, while black eyed susan brings cheery yellow and a similar rayed flower. Black-Eyed Susan Black-eyed Susan and Coneflower are an easy-care pairing guaranteed to fill your garden with bloom. A sea of jewel tones and softer pastels will draw pollinators like a magnet and improve the overall health of your landscape. Also referred to as rudbeckia, black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia hirta) also belong to the Asteraceae family--the family of the coneflowers. in width. White phlox makes a classic compliment to Russian sage. Vivid and vigorous, this attractive coneflower is really worthy of interest with its long lasting blooms and its tolerance of almost everything. Where to plant: A sunny spot in well-drained soil is all this plant asks for, making it ideal for hot, dry climates. A summer garden or large container combination I like is planting Echinacea with Perovskia (Russian Sage), which has a blue flower and a similar bloom time. Light up your late summer garden with the silvery foliage and lavender blue spires of gorgeous, no fuss, easy care Russian sage. Echinacea, or purple coneflower, is an outstanding perennial that thrives on neglect. • Twelve-inch spires of tubular, purple flowers add a splash of color in late summer. The variety shown here, 'May Night', is both cold-hardy and showy. If you are wondering what to plant with coneflowers, there are many foliage plants that will provide just the right accent amongst the blooms. Native to Central and South America, coreopsis species is another member of the Asteraceae family. Recommended For You: Customers Also Bought. If you are wondering what to plant with coneflowers, there are many foliage plants that will provide just the right accent amongst the blooms. Russian sage forms a purple haze in gardens starting in mid- to late summer with its purple spires of bloom. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! This plant combination includes the spiky, silvery-blue, egg-shaped flowerheads of Eryngium giganteum (Miss Willmott's Ghost), the misty froth of lavender-blue flowers of Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage), the delicate white flowers of Gaura lindheimeri (Beeblossom) and the fresh-looking pink Echinacea purpurea 'Rubinglow'(Purple Coneflower). Foot-long flower heads infuse strong drama into plantings. It has an elongated central cone out of which grows disk flowers from June to September and typical flower petals around its base. Plant sage in the front or middle of the border in a sunny spot. Use it anywhere there's sun, in the middle or back of the border, in landscaping beds, or in mass plantings. Spinning the color wheel a bit, black-eyed susans provides sharp yellow color contrast as a garden complement to Russian sage. The following is a guide to the dangers of growing Russian sage. That is myrtle spurge to the lift, and Rudbekia just on the hills ridge to the far right in the rear you can see Monks Cap beginning to bloom. Smoke bush may get a little large but is an excellent foliage plant for the back of the perennial garden. Type Herbaceous flower Lifespan Perennial Growing Zones 5-9 Light Sun Water Avoid soggy roots Flowers Purple spires Design Tip Hazy backdrop Companions Coneflowers, lavender More than just a pretty face! Russian sage grows 2–5 feet tall, depending on cultivar, and is hardy in Zones 3–9. The shrubby plant grows from 2 to 4 feet tall, Russian sage is an excellent companion plant for ornamental grasses and in floral gardens that thrive well in full sun and dry and well-drained soil conditions. For a cool color scheme, plant with blue flowering sages (including Russian sage), bee balm, catmint, or perennial geraniums. Many of the new coleuscultivars are now just as happy in sun as they are in shade. • Like the invasive sages, Russian sage is a drought-tolerant plant that does well in poor soils. Ratibida is a full-sun, flowering plant that requires well-drained soil. Perovskia (Russian Sage), Agastache 'Ava' (Ava's Hummingbird Mint) and Helianthus 'Santa Fe' (Maximilian's Sunflower) feature big, bold plants and colors.