Denim n Lace Russian Sage
Salvia yangii 'Denim n Lace'
flowerDenim n Lace is a refined Russian sage, a tough subshrub perennial grown for its haze of tiny sky-blue flowers and its silvery, aromatic, finely dissected foliage. From midsummer well into fall it produces a long-lasting cloud of lavender-blue bloom on sturdy, well-branched stems that resist the flopping older Russian sages were known for, standing about two and a half to three feet tall. The whole plant is aromatic when brushed, which makes it deer and rabbit resistant, and it is a magnet for bees and butterflies in the hot, dry, sunny border. Drought-proof, heat-proof, and undemanding, it is one of the best perennials for tough, baking sites where many plants fail. It was long classified as Perovskia atriplicifolia.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 10 days
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Bloom
~60 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
24-36 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Set the crown at the soil surface; ensure sharp drainage
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Soil pH
6.5-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, dry to medium, sharply drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 9
When to Fertilize
None needed; avoid rich feeding that causes flopping
Fertilizer
None, or a little compost
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow Russian sage in full sun and lean, well-drained soil - sharp drainage is the single most important thing, as it rots in wet, heavy ground. It thrives on dry to medium soil, tolerates drought, heat, poor soil, and salt once established, and actually performs worse with rich soil or too much water, which make it flop. It is hardy in zones 4 to 9 and needs full sun to stay upright; in shade the stems sprawl. The one yearly task is pruning: it blooms on new wood, so cut the woody stems back hard, to about a foot from the ground, in early spring before growth begins, which keeps it dense and floriferous. Otherwise it asks for nothing - no staking, no deadheading, no feeding.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first bloom
Jun 14
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Black-Eyed Susan — Golden daisies that contrast the blue haze and share the hot, dry, sunny conditions
- Coneflower — A drought-tough prairie partner that blooms alongside it for pollinators
- Daylily — A rugged companion that fills the lower border while the airy sage floats above
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Few serious pests
Russian sage is famously pest-free and deer and rabbit resistant thanks to its aromatic foliage - the best prevention is simply full sun and sharp drainage
Rarely cluster on new growth - rinse off with water if they appear
Occasional minor feeders - tolerate them, as they seldom cause real harm
The only real threat - it rots in wet, poorly drained soil, so plant in sharply drained ground and never overwater
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Russian sage makes an airy, aromatic filler in fresh or dried arrangements - cut the wispy blue stems in the cool morning. In the garden it is wonderfully low maintenance: skip deadheading and let the silvery seed stems stand into winter for texture, then make the single annual cut in early spring, taking the woody stems down to about a foot, since it flowers on new growth. Do not feed or pamper it - lean, dry, sunny neglect is exactly what it wants.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
An ornamental perennial of excellent pollinator value - the long midsummer-to-fall bloom is alive with bees and butterflies during the hot months. Its aromatic foliage makes it deer and rabbit resistant. Non-toxic and safe around pets and children.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.