russian sage?

[werecat]

The local hospital uses what the grounds keeper calls russian sage as a ornamental landscaping plant. Mum says it smells like sage and has really nice purple flowers. The ground keeper was telling her that it spreads by runners. She is seriously thinking of trying to snag one to add to the herb garden we are going to make for her, but I told her I would see if anyone was familiar with it before she trys it cause she is thinking of using it as a cooking herb and I want to make sure it's safe first. Can anyone confirm if it is or not? thanks.

[Lavandula Girl]

Perovskia atriplicifolia is russian sage - it is an ornamental, not a true sage. While it has a great, sage-y, almost menthol smell, it is aromatic only. If she wants a sage for eating, stick with the salvias. Hope this helps!

[werecat]

Perovskia atriplicifolia is russian sage - it is an ornamental, not a true sage. While it has a great, sage-y, almost menthol smell, it is aromatic only. If she wants a sage for eating, stick with the salvias. Hope this helps!
THANK YOU! that is just what I needed to know. I'm calling my mum now. :)

[Lavandula Girl]

Werecat - did your Mom obtain some Russian Sage anyway? Even though it isn't edible, it's still a great garden addition. I put it with my Bluebeard (Caryopteris x Clandonesis) to add fragrance and hummingbird/butterfly attractors to the herb garden. It's fun to walk through the herb garden and pet the plants, just to make the aroma fill the air! Plus, then when I harvest all the lavender, i still have pretty purple blooms to gaze at! ;)

[Sookie]

My "Mum" in New Mexico has a lot of this plant. It's very, very drought tolerant and so pretty, but you gotta watch those runners. If it spreads, it's hard to get rid of. I worry about it becoming invasive in NM and crowding out native species. Shouldn't be a problem where you are, though.

Anyone here who keeps bees might be interested to know that bees can't get enough of it and it flowers for months at a time.

Some of our friends have used it to make smudge sticks, even though it isn't the traditional sage for that. So if you need to clear old slavic ghosts out of a kiva... ;)

[GreenZone]

LOL sookie...yes it is used EVERYWHERE in people's landscapes in NM. One almost gets tired of seeing it. But that's only because it does so well...

[Playoutside]

i have never heard of rusian sage sending out runners. but i do not live in new mexico. its a great plant.

[wilderness1989]

Has anyone started Russian Sage from seed? If so how did it work out? Thanks in advance.

[Joan]

I finally found a spot that took well to the Russian Sage, it thrived. No runners tho' the root got very woody at the base - almost hard to trim back.
I love it but it does look runaway with its long stems

[Lillian Osborne]

The local hospital uses what the grounds keeper calls russian sage as a ornamental landscaping plant. Mum says it smells like sage and has really nice purple flowers. The ground keeper was telling her that it spreads by runners. She is seriously thinking of trying to snag one to add to the herb garden we are going to make for her, but I told her I would see if anyone was familiar with it before she trys it cause she is thinking of using it as a cooking herb and I want to make sure it's safe first. Can anyone confirm if it is or not? thanks.

There is a note at this link that Russian Sage may cause skin irritation in some folks. A plant to enjoy surely, but with respect.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/733/index.html

[052039]

RUSSIAN SAGE is that a smart guy from MOSCOW? o.k. tha's the last of the bad jokes for this session.......

BILL