Perovskia atriplicifolia Blue Spire - Russian Sage

The Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire', also known as Russian Sage or Afghan Lavender, is a small bush cultivated for its exceptional abundance of lavender blue flowers and its aromatic foliage. On this plant with white and flexible stems, which resembles a very large lavender from a distance, numerous spikes loaded with small intensely bright flowers emerge for 3 months in the bright light of summer. In addition to the visual pleasure, there is olfactory curiosity: its small hairy leaves leave a fragrance on the fingers that is as complex as it is powerful. This Perovskia, essential in a dry or non-irrigated garden, will bring to all flower and shrub beds the indispensable blue and soothing note that is often lacking in summer.

Probably resulting from the cross-breeding between Perovskia abrotanoides and Perovskia atriplicifolia, often considered a large woody perennial, Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire' is a cultivar that is more vigorous than its parents, very interesting for the quality and duration of its flowering. It is an aromatic plant from the Lamiaceae family, which includes, among others, other highly scented 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, or even southern Siberia for the second. 'Blue Spire' is a plant that is resistant to both dryness and cold, with vegetation that disappears in winter.

At maturity, after 4 years of cultivation, this slightly spreading bushy shrub will reach a height of approximately 1.20 m (3.9 ft) when flowering, with a spread of 80 cm (31.5 in). The diffuse branches emerge from the stump in spring. They are adorned with small velvety and toothed leaves, of a soft green-grey colour, which becomes even lighter as the soil becomes dry in summer. They are very aromatic and release a complex fragrance when crushed, initially evoking an animal odor, very fleeting, then a menthol aroma, ending with a sweet note that is somewhat reminiscent of lychee. Flowering occurs from June to September, or even from June to October in Mediterranean climates, with exceptional abundance. It consists of a multitude of tiny blue-mauve flowers grouped in ramified spikes at the ends of the stems. This flowering attracts and nourishes bees and bumblebees throughout the summer.

Perovskia Blue Spire is preferably used in shrub borders or large perennial beds. It is also found in large borders, rockeries, and low hedges. It is a plant widely used by urban landscapers in the South of France, as well as in coastal areas. It can also be grown in pots to beautify balconies and terraces. It is an absolutely essential plant in a dry garden. You can accompany it with other summer-flowering shrubs or perennials in pink, white, or yellow. Consider, for example, Gauras, Lychnis coronaria, shrubby salvias, shrubby potentillas, Epilobium canum Western Hills, Echium russicum, Oenothera drummondii. Perovskia atriplicifolia pairs very well with remontant roses. Its combination with ornamental grasses (Stipa ichu, Miscanthus, Panicum virgatum Squaw, Muhlenbergia...) is always successful in a more wild, refined, or contemporary style garden. Its dried leaves can be used to make an infusion that helps fight against aphid invasions, whiteflies, and scale insects.

NOTE: Attention, the branches of the shrub are dry in winter. Its branches are semi-evergreen and will be cut back to the ground in late winter. New shoots will develop from the stump in early spring.