Perovskia atriplicifolia Blue Steel - Russian Sage

The Perovskia atriplicifolia Blue Steel is a new selection of Russian sage that is more compact than the wild form, and has more presence than usual varieties due to its denser and more ramified vegetation. Its numerous light stems, covered with almost white leaves and a haze of lavender flowers, make it a very attractive small bush during a long summer period, even in difficult growing conditions. Essential in poor and very dry soil in summer, it is also frost tolerant. Plant it in a sunny bed or rockery, to accompany white, yellow, pink or red blooms, the effect is guaranteed!

The Blue Steel Russian sage belongs to the family of lamiaceae, formerly called labiates. It comes from a wild species, the Perovskia atriplicifolia, native to the arid mountains of Afghanistan, hot and dry in summer but very cold in winter. It is an extremely resistant bush or shrubby perennial, that thrives in well-drained soil and full sun.

'Blue Steel' forms a slightly spreading but dense clump, composed of sturdy upright stems, with a quadrangular section, covered in almost white down. At maturity, this variety will reach about 90 cm (35in) in height and 60 cm (24in) in width. The stems bear small narrow and elongated leaves, about 2-3 cm (1in) long, with toothed edges, also covered in a fine silver-white down. When crushed, they release a complex aroma with minty and fruity notes. Flowering begins in June-July depending on the regions, and continues until September-October. Tiny lavender-blue flowers bloom along the stems, attracting many pollinating insects. It is the color of its flowers that earned this plant its nickname "Afghanistan Lavender", and its relationship with sage that gave it its other names of "Russian sage" or "Afghan sage".

Perovskia Blue Steel can be planted in beds, borders or rockeries, including seaside borders. It can also be grown in pots to enhance the terrace or balcony. It is an ideal plant for dry gardens. You can associate it with other summer shrubs or perennials such as bushy salvias, Penstemon barbatus Coccineus, gauras, evening primroses or even pink lavenders. It also pairs very well with perpetual roses and hollyhocks.