Little Spire Russian Sage

About this plant

Little Spire Russian Sage (Salvia yangii 'Little Spire') is a more refined and upright selection of the classic Russian Sage, offering the same beloved silver foliage and lavender-blue blooms in a tidy, manageable package. Its airy spikes of flowers create a soft, hazy effect from mid-summer into fall, providing continuous beauty when many other plants are fading. This perennial is remarkably drought-tolerant once established and thrives in hot, sunny conditions, making it an excellent choice for xeriscapes, rock gardens, and perennial borders. Its aromatic foliage also contributes to its deer and rabbit resistance, ensuring a pristine display. You'll appreciate Little Spire's versatility in the landscape; use it as a striking accent, as part of a mixed border, or plant it en masse for a breathtaking sea of purple-blue. Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller gardens or container plantings where a less vigorous habit is desired.

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

Little Spire Russian Sage is incredibly low-maintenance. Prune back in late winter or early spring to about 6-12 inches from the ground to encourage bushy new growth and prolific flowering. Avoid heavy fertilization, as this can lead to leggy growth. Water regularly until established, then only during prolonged dry spells.

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.