Russian Sage

About this plant

Salvia yangii, commonly known as Russian Sage, is a captivating perennial prized for its ethereal lavender-blue flowers and silvery-green, aromatic foliage. This drought-tolerant beauty brings a touch of wild elegance to any garden, blooming profusely from mid-summer through fall, extending the season of color and drawing in pollinators. Its airy, upright habit and finely-textured leaves create a softening effect in borders and rock gardens, while the shimmering flower spikes provide a striking contrast to broad-leaved plants. Russian Sage is exceptionally low-maintenance and thrives in challenging conditions, making it an ideal choice for sunny, dry locations. A Cut Above recommends Russian Sage for its phenomenal drought resistance, extended bloom time, and ability to thrive in poor soils. It's an excellent choice for xeriscaping, pollinator gardens, and adding a durable, beautiful element to the landscape with minimal fuss.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Russian Sage is an incredibly low-maintenance plant. Prune back hard in early spring, just as new growth emerges, to about 6-12 inches from the ground to encourage a bushy habit and abundant flowering. No deadheading is required for continuous blooming. Avoid overwatering once established.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.