Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a popular ornamental plant known for its airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers and silvery foliage that thrives in hot, dry conditions. However, this hardy plant has a tendency to spread aggressively and can pose challenges in smaller garden spaces.
If you love the look of Russian sage but want something better suited to your garden, there are several excellent alternatives that provide similar attributes without the invasiveness. Here are 7 great options:
1. Lavender
With its signature fragrance and purple blossoms lavender (Lavandula spp.) is perhaps the most obvious alternative to Russian sage. There are over 40 species of lavender that vary in size bloom time, and hardiness, but most work well in borders, rock gardens, and containers. Dwarf varieties like Munstead and Hidcote stay under 2 feet, while taller types can reach 3-4 feet. Lavender prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and good air circulation. Once established, it requires little watering or maintenance.
2. Veronica
Sometimes called speedwell, veronica (Veronica spp.) offers spiky blue flower spikes on greenish-gray foliage, similar to Russian sage. It’s less woody and more herbaceous than Russian sage, with a mounding form reaching 1-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. Veronica is easy to grow in average soil and full sun to part shade. It blooms spring through summer, taking short breaks in very hot weather. Good cultivars include Sunny Border Blue, Royal Candles, and Whitewater.
3. Salvia
The salvia genus contains over 900 species, but a few stand out as great Russian sage look-alikes. Salvia x sylvestris is a hybrid known as woodland sage, with violet-blue flowers on green leaves. It reaches 2-3 feet tall and wide. Salvia nemorosa (meadow sage) is another good option, staying under 18 inches with purple blooms. For silver foliage, try Salvia argentea (silver sage). Salvias need full sun but adapt to most soil types. They bloom summer to fall and benefit from pruning in spring.
4. Agastache
Sometimes called hummingbird mint, agastache (Agastache spp.) offers billowy stacks of flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, orange, and yellow atop aromatic leaves. Mid-sized types like Blue Boa and Black Adder grow 2-3 feet tall and wide. Smaller varieties like Little Adder reach just 10-12 inches tall. Agastache thrives in full sun and average to dry soil. It blooms from midsummer until frost and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
5. Baptisia
Also called wild indigo, Baptisia australis shares the blue flower color of Russian sage on pea-like blooms atop sturdy stems. It reaches 3-4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with blue-green foliage that turns black in fall. Baptisia is slow to establish but adapts readily to most soil types and needs little watering or care. It blooms in late spring and benefits from cutting back by half after flowering. The cultivar ‘Blue Towers’ is smaller at 2 feet tall.
6. Catmint
In the mint family, catmint (Nepeta spp.) offers clouds of blue or purple flowers and aromatic gray-green leaves. Mid-sized varieties like Walkers Low and Junior Walker reach 2-3 feet tall and wide, but dwarf types like Little Trudy stay under 12 inches. Catmint thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. It blooms spring to summer and spreads moderately. For best results, shear plants by half after their first flush of blooms.
7. Russian Sage Cultivars
For those who love Russian sage’s toughness and pollinator appeal but not its aggressiveness, certain cultivars offer improved compact habits. Little Spire Russian sage reaches just 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide, while Blue Jean Baby and Lacey Blue are even smaller at 1-2 feet tall and wide. These still have the signature lavender-blue blooms but are less likely to spread out of bounds. They work best in hot, sunny spots with dry to average soil.
In Summary
While Russian sage is beautiful, its tendency to spread aggressively can make it problematic. Fortunately, alternatives like lavender, veronica, salvia, agastache, baptisia, catmint, and dwarf Russian sage cultivars provide gorgeous blooms and foliage without the invasiveness. When choosing plants for your garden, consider the size, growing conditions, and growth habits to select the best fit.
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The 2020 Perennial of the Year – ‘Denim ‘n Lace’ Russian Sage
FAQ
What is a good substitute for Russian sage?
What plant looks like Russian sage?
What are the cons of Russian sage?
What looks good next to Russian sage?
What plants grow well with Russian sage?
The sweet feather-like flowers of the Sweet William provide lovely splashes of color and scent in the summer garden. Due to its similar growth requirements, it is the perfect companion plant for Russian sage. It loves full sun but can thrive in partial shade and prefers moist soil that is not boggy. 5. Coreopsis
Is Russian sage a perennial?
Russian Sage is a perennial with bluish-purple flowers that can reach heights of one to two feet. The short, upright annual Sweet William has pink, red, and white flowers; it prefers damp soil over dry soil. The lovely, drought-resistant Sweet William plant has a height of up to four feet.
What flowers look like Russian sage?
Black-eyed Susans produce beautiful blooms with a yellow to orange hue complimented by brown centers. They require moist, well-draining soil and thrive in the full sun like their Russian sage companions. They contrast nicely with the purple flowers of the Russian sage. 3. Yarrow Long woody stems support the daisy-like flowers of the yarrow plant.
What plants resemble Sage?
Another plant that resembles sage is broadleaf lavender. While most lavender varieties have flowers that look like sage, broadleaf lavender resembles sage in terms of leaf shape. Broadleaf lavender plants grow about 1.5 feet tall, making them slightly smaller than the sage plant. The leaves are also smaller than sage leaves.
Should Russian sage be paired with other plants?
It is always best to pair Russian sage with companion plants that have similar growing requirements. When all the plants in your garden beds have the same watering and nurturing needs, it can reduce your overall garden maintenance and ensure success for all the plants in the same garden bed.
Can Russian sage grow in clay soil?
Russian sage plant grows well in USDA zones 4 – 9 and is quite cold-tolerant but prefers warmer regions. This perennial plant can be grown in just about any soil type including clay soil but the soil needs to drain well. The herb requires lots of direct sunlight or it won’t produce enough flowers. And it is a relatively drought tolerant plant.