Perovskia atriplicifolia. A deer resistant planting. I hate to say ‘proof’ but deer have never touched in my garden. More on deer proofing in months to come.

• deer don’t eat it
• great fall colour
• blooms August through October
• woody herbaceous perennial
• bees, butterflies love it
• 2′-3’tall
• strong scent when crushed
• prefers well drained soil
• drought tolerant
• disease resistant
• deep roots
• 6 -8 hours of full sun required for most bloom

This is another strong reliable plant for Fall. The billowy, airy mass of flowers makes an impression especially when combined with grasses such as Feather Reed Grass Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ or Blue Oat Grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens. I surround it with with Alchemilla mollis, Lady’s Mantle as a vibrant chartreuse shield until the sage blooms. Russian Sage needs a hard pruning back in spring to encourage new growth. Prune back to just above small grey buds as close to the ground as possible to encourage new growth. The grey foliage will sprout up until bloom time in August. If going for a blue colour theme, Russian sage would also combine well with Catmint, Nepeta ,which is deer resistant. A colour contrast of yellow with an equally drought loving deer resistant plant such as ‘Parker Yellow’ Achillea would also work well.

Below: a Planting of Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass and Russian Sage by the Johnson Street bridge in Victoria, B.C. This planting would be equally hardy in Zone Three. Beneath: Lady’s Mantle surrounding the Russian Sage which has yet to become visible, combined with Blue Oat Grass in early spring. The same invisble Russian Sage is featured above but in late September.