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Little Spire Russian Sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia

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Little Spire Russian Sage, shrub with bluish-purple flowers

Discover More Information On Little Spire Russian Sage

Do you love the look of Russian sage but don’t have space? The Little Spire Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Little Spire) is just the shrub for you. Along with bringing some airiness to your space, its dark blue flower spikes add a hint of color. If you want all the beauty of Russian sage in a tiny package, you need to select the Little Spire for your next project.

Plant Attributes

Russian sage is a must-have element in any landscape. However, many people just don’t have the space for this large plant. The Little Spire Russian sage is here to help. You can get all the beauty of sage in a compact package. With its open habit, these sages grow about 24 inches tall and spread out to 12 inches.

The Little Spire sage is an aromatic shrub with a graceful appearance. You will love how it adds some interest to your landscape. Some consider the long spikes of silvery-blue flowers to be the best feature of this shrub. Those flowers are the perfect complement to the silver-gray foliage. Throughout the summer, the flowers remain on the shrub. For most plants, the Little Spire Russian sage blooms for about 15 weeks. Those tubular flowers make this variety an exceptional component in any garden.

Unlike other Russian sages, these plants will not bend over or break. You can get the same fragrant foliage without many of the hassles associated with bigger shrubs. For a bonus, the fragrance of the sage is sure to attract the local bees and butterflies to your garden.

Landscape Use

The habit of the Little Spire Russian sage gives your space a unique presence. If you have a mixed garden bed, this Russian sage is a perfect backdrop. It looks stunning when paired up with other desert plants. Those Mediterranean and cottage gardens can add a pop of color and texture with this sage variety.

The Little Spire Russian sage can stand on its own as a small shrub or hedge. This shrub gives your space a little airy feeling to balance those heavier plants. Since it doesn’t get too big, you can add this sage to fill in those smaller empty spaces. This sage makes an excellent addition to those foundation plantings or sunny borders. For that picture-perfect look, pair them against a white fence with pink and yellow flowers. With these shrubs, you will have an eye-catching combination of texture and color.

The bluish-purple flowers attract those butterflies. Make sure to plant them in a space where you can see these local visitors. If you want to smell the spicy scent of the shrubs, it is a great idea to place them along a pathway to enjoy the aroma. The Little Spire Russian sage is an exceptional plant for those containers and pots. These shrubs are an alternative to lavender plants, and you can use them in spaces to achieve that same visual appeal.

Planting & Care

The Little Spire Russian sage is a great plant for gardeners who don’t have much time to tend to their yards. This sage needs minimal care, and it will thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9. It can tolerate most soils, but it requires well-draining conditions. Russian sage can die if there is too much water at the roots. If your landscape is overwatered, the roots will rot.

If you live in a colder climate, then the Little Spire sage often needs to be cut back. You can protect the roots with a light layer of mulch. For those in warmer climates, this sage can stay around as an ornamental garden shrub during the colder months. No matter where you live, you might want to cut down this sage in the late winter to early spring. With this cutting, you can ensure that new growth appears for the upcoming growing season.

Additional Information

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Little Spire Russian Sage

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This compact but colorful Russian sage variety makes an impact in your landscape. For several weeks, you can enjoy the bluish-purple flowers as they add some color and texture to your gardens. This shrub is an excellent choice for xeriscaping. With its long blooming season, it is a valuable asset to any space. If you are ready to add the Little Spire Russian sage to your inventory, make sure to contact Arbor Valley Nursery. Our team will help you find the right landscaping selection for your projects.

Plant Features

  • Plant Type: Perennial
  • Watering Needs: Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat or containers.
  • Botanical Pronunciation: pe-ROF-ski-a a-tri-pli-si-FO-li-a
  • Deciduous/evergreen: Deciduous
  • Growth rate: Moderate
  • Average landscape size: Moderate growing; reaches 2-3’ tall and wide, spreading wider.
  • Special features: Dwarf Plant, Easy Care, Waterwise
  • Foliage color: Gray-green
  • Blooms: Summer to Fall
  • Flower color: Blue
  • Flower attributes: Flowers for Cutting, Fragrant, Long Bloom Season, Showy Flowers
  • Garden style: Cottage, Mediterranean, Rustic, Xeric
  • Design Ideas: A super shrubby more cold-hardy perennial for gardens incorporating Mediterranean style as well as more traditional hardy perennials. A delightful alternative to lavender in cottage gardens or along fence lines of pickets or iron. Shows well in traditional parterres or hedge-bound planters.
  • Companion Plants: Coneflower (Echinacea); Butterfly Bush (Buddleja); Butterfly Weed (Asclepias); Aster (Aster); Bee Balm (Monarda)
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