Also known as Russian Sage · 955 gardener saves
Perovskia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Perovskia, the genus most gardeners know as russian sage. We track 12 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Perovskia varieties
Of 12 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBlue Spire Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire'
#2 most savedRussian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia
#3 most savedPrime Time Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Prime Time'
Denim 'n Lace Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Denim 'n Lace'
Crazy Blue Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'CrazyBlue'
Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Bluesette'
Blue Jean Baby Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Jean Baby'
Little Spire Russian Sage
Perovskia atriiplicifolia 'Little Spire'
Russian Sage
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Sage Advice'
Russian Sage Longin
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Longin'
Russian Sage Filigran
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Filigran'
Lacey Blue Russian Sage
Perovskia 'Lacey Blue'
How to grow Perovskia
What the Perovskia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 12 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Perovskia year
- PruneFebruary and March100% of varieties
Cut back hard to 6-8 inches above ground before new growth begins
- PlantMarch, April, September and October58% of varieties
Plant in well-drained soil in spring or early fall
- PropagateApril–June42% of varieties
Take softwood cuttings to start new plants
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Provide full sun for optimal blooming
- Use well-draining soil to prevent moisture buildup
Avoid
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater or allow soil to stay soggy ❌
- Avoid heavy fertilizing late in the season
What goes wrong with Perovskia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Spray with water and apply horticultural oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage, speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| Whiteflies | Clouds of tiny white insects fly up when the plant is disturbed. | Generally not a serious threat. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor populations. Spray with insecticidal soap for heavy infestations. |
| Root rot | Wilting despite watering | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Perovskia
Cuttings
- Select healthy, non-flowering stems in late summer.
- Cut 4-6 inch sections with clean scissors.
- Dip in rooting hormone for better success.
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil.
- Keep in bright, indirect light and mist regularly.
- Roots form in 6 weeks.
Division
- Dig up mature plants in early spring or fall.
- Separate clumps with a sharp knife or spade.
- Replant divisions immediately at the same depth.
Perovskia questions
How many types of Perovskia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 12 distinct Perovskia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 955 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Perovskia grow in?
Across its varieties, Perovskia covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Perovskia bloom?
Most Perovskia varieties bloom in mid-summer to fall, late summer, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Perovskia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Perovskia
Perovskia shows up in
Related genera
Design with Perovskia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
