Perovskia atriplicifolia Little Spire - Russian Sage

The Perovskia (x) atriplicifolia Little Spire It is a compact form of the Blue Spire Afghan Sage, a true camel plant that stays upright despite the weight of its flowering. Both floriferous, hardy and drought-resistant, this small deciduous bush will fit anywhere, even in a large pot on the terrace where you can fully enjoy its beautiful grey-silver foliage, which is very aromatic when crushed, and its inexhaustible summer flowering in long panicles of lavender-blue flowers.
 
Probably resulting from the cross-breeding between Perovskia abrotanoides and Perovskia atriplicifolia, often considered as large woody perennials, Perovskia 'Little Spire' is an aromatic plant from the family of Lamiaceae, which includes, among others, other highly fragrant plants such as thyme, sage, lavender and mint. Its two presumed parents are native to the arid mountains of Iran and Turkmenistan for the first and Afghanistan for the second. The 'Little Spire' cultivar stands out from other varieties with an upright and more compact habit. At maturity, after 4 years of cultivation, this slightly spreading bushy shrub will not exceed 80 cm (31.5 in) in height and 60 cm (23.6 in) in width. The diffuse branches are adorned with small deciduous, toothed leaves of a grey-green colour that becomes even lighter as the soil becomes dry in summer. They are highly aromatic and release a complex fragrance when crushed, initially evoking an animal scent, very fleeting, then a menthol aroma, ending with a sweet note that somewhat resembles lychee. The flowering takes place from June to September, with an uncommon generosity. It is composed of many tiny blue-purple flowers grouped in branched spikes.
 
The Little Spire Russian sage is a plant that thrives in dry soil and blooms all summer, even when the garden is sweltering with heat. A dry garden (with sandy or rocky soil) can be paired with Gauras, Epilobium canum Western Hills, Echium russicum, and Oenothera drummondii to create a multicoloured flower bed. It also pairs very well with ornamental grasses (Stipa ichu, Miscanthus, Panicum virgatum Squaw) as well as with all summer perennials, and botanical roses (Rosa complicata, Rosa hugonis, Rosa rugosa) or English roses (Rosa Morning Mist, Fighting Temeraire).
 

NOTE: Attention, the branches of the bush are dry in winter. Its branches are semi-evergreen and are pruned back in winter. Young shoots will develop from the base in early spring.