Companion Plants for Russian Sage: Creating a Striking and Low-Maintenance Garden

With its wispy lavender-blue flowers and silvery foliage, Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a gorgeous addition to any garden. But growing it alone can look a bit sparse. The key is choosing the right companion plants to make your Russian sage really stand out.

When paired with plants that complement its color, texture, and growth habit, Russian sage becomes the star of a cohesive, visually appealing landscape. The good news is it’s highly versatile and pairs well with many other drought-tolerant perennials, grasses, shrubs, and more.

In this guide, I’ll recommend some of the best companion plants for Russian sage and provide tips for designing an eye-catching, low-maintenance garden that thrives in harmony.

Benefits of Companion Planting

Before diving into plant suggestions, let’s review some of the main benefits of thoughtfully companion planting with Russian sage:

• Visual appeal – Combining plants with contrasting and complementary features creates more interesting designs compared to a single species alone

• Growth habits – Choose companion plants with growth habits that suit Russian sage’s upright, airy form.

• Bloom times – Extend seasonal interest by interplanting early, mid and late bloomers.

• Color combinations – Russian sage’s cool tones look stunning paired with hot colors like red orange and yellow.

• Texture and form – Foliage and flowers of different textures and shapes add depth and dimension.

• Height variations – Tall, mid-height and low-growing companions prevent a flat, boring look.

• Shared needs – Drought-tolerant companions have similar soil, sunlight and water requirements as Russian sage.

Best Perennial Companion Plants

Here are some excellent perennial companion plants for Russian sage:

Lavender

With its familiar fragrance and purple flowers, lavender is a perfect companion for Russian sage. It thrives in hot, dry conditions. For best results, choose compact English lavender varieties like ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead’ that won’t outgrow the sage.

Yarrow

Yarrow’s flat-topped yellow or white flower clusters complement Russian sage’s shape. Its ferny, aromatic foliage provides great contrast. Bonus – yarrow helps repel pests! Choose shorter varieties like ‘Moonshine’.

Salvia

For pops of red or pink, plant salvia alongside Russian sage. The spiky flowers and bushy growth habit contrast nicely. ‘Caradonna’ or ‘Red Hot Sally II’ are good upright varieties.

Catmint

Catmint is another tough, aromatic perennial that pairs perfectly with Russian sage. It remains compact compared to sage’s height. Go for varieties like ‘Walker’s Low’ or ‘Six Hills Giant’ in blue, purple or white flowers.

Ornamental Grasses

Add movement and graceful arching forms by interplanting slender ornamental grasses with Russian sage. Good options include feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’), Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ or blue fescue grass (Festuca glauca).

Agastache

The spiky blooms of agastache, also known as hummingbird mint, look beautiful with Russian sage’s plumes. Plant the shorter ‘Blue Fortune’ or taller ‘Black Adder’. Bonus – it attracts pollinators!

Veronica

For blue or purple spike-like blooms on shorter plants, try interplanting veronica cultivars with Russian sage. ‘Royal Candles’ or ‘Red Fox’ are two excellent compact choices.

Best Shrub and Subshrub Companions

Here are some hardy, drought-tolerant woody plants that make great Russian sage companions:

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’

‘Grosso’ lavender is a medium-sized lavender shrub that provides bushy purple texture. It works well planted in front of airy Russian sage.

Caryopteris × clandonensis

The blue mist spirea, as it’s commonly known, has cool blue flowers that complement Russian sage beautifully. ‘Longwood Blue’ is a popular variety.

Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Little Spire’

For more Russian sage but shorter, try the dwarf cultivar ‘Little Spire’. At just 18-24 inches tall, it makes an excellent low border or edging.

Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’

The lacy silver foliage of this artemisia variety contrasts wonderfully with Russian sage. Plant it en masse or as an accent.

Design Tips for Planting Companions

Follow these simple tips when designing with Russian sage and companion plants:

• Plant sages 2-3 feet apart for a dense border or mass planting.

• Set companions 1.5-2 feet away from sages to allow breathing room as both mature.

• Use groups of 3, 5 or 7 plants together for best visual impact.

• Place taller plants in the back and shorter companions in front.

• Add focal points like ornamental grasses or large agave for drama.

Ongoing Care

The beauty of these companions is they require minimal care once established:

• Water weekly for the first season, then only during prolonged drought.

• Apply a thin layer of mulch around plants to help retain soil moisture.

• Prune companions like lavender and catmint lightly after blooming to encourage new growth.

• Cut back ornamental grasses and agave foliage in late winter before new sprouts emerge.

Bringing it All Together

By combining Russian sage with other drought-tolerant perennials, grasses, shrubs and subshrubs, you can create a stunning low-maintenance landscape.

Aim for a balanced blend of heights, textures, shapes and colors. Repeat plant groupings for cohesion. Your Russian sage will thrive alongside any of these suggested companions while adding seasonal interest and natural beauty to your garden.