average, can't tolerate wet soils especially in the winter, this is sure death
Temperature
top parts of the plants are killed with light frosts
Flowers
tubular lavender blue flowers borne in terminal racemes or panicles
Leaves
very dissected, feathery, fragrant when crushed (especially when I prune the plants), leaves and stems whitish gray in color
Stems
square stems typical of the Lamiaceae family
Dimensions
3-4 feet tall, 2-3 foot spread, upright, can be floppy
Maintenance
in the fall don't cut flush with the ground, I like to leave 6 or more inches of stem, this is where the new buds will form for the next growing season, also I will periodically prune back some of the branches to help prevent the "Perovskia Flop" which is common to this group
Native Site
Russian Sage is not native to Russia but is found in Afghanistan & western Pakistan.
Cultivar Origin
The genus is named for VA Perovskia Russian general. Cultivar introduced by Germany's Ernst Pagels.
Author's Notes
When the Magnolia start dropping their petals (really tepals) I call this "Magnolia Snow". When the Perovskia start dropping their petals the area around the plant is littered with bluish petals or "Perovskia Snow".
Notes & Reference
#04-Herbaceous Perennial Plants (Allan Armitage), #79-Perennials For Every Purpose (Larry Hodgson), #203- North Creek Nursery (www.northcreeknurseries.com)