I too have heavy clay. I tried Russian Sage some years ago, and it didn't make it. One of my early gardening 'mentors' said she always tried things three times, and if they didn't make it the third time she figured they weren't for her. The last few years I've been experimenting with growing things I've lost in the ground in large pots and have found it to work quite well so far, my idea being that they get better drainage and also, for things like Russian Sage that are hardy farther north, that being in a pot will give them more winter chill. Does that make sense? Haven't re-tried the Russian Sage but it's on my list (so many plants, so little time!) Perovskia is in that class of gray-leaved plants I've read are harder to grow here because they all need sharp drainage. But I've managed several in big pots and intend to try more--just gotta get more big pots! I especially like the self-watering types, so I don't have to run out to water twice a day when the heat and humidity is over 90. Tho' I'd just about prefer that to the weather we're getting now!

I planted about 30 Perovskia plugs in early spring. They grew to about 1-1/2 feet tall during the season and just stopped blooming about a week ago. Beautiful plant and smell heavenly when leaves are crushed. I did plant mine into raised beds to keep their feet dry. Anxious to see how they do next year. One good thing is that you can just break off a piece, stick in the ground and have a new plant.

I might take a chance and try one. Park Seed sells the plants. Apparently the seeds are trickly and slow to germinate. Any local sources that y'all know of? Thanks for the info. Another frarant foilage plant that I grew this year is Sweet Annie or Artisima Annuam (not sure of the spelling). It's fairly easily grown from seeds and easy to grow. I hear it self sows. I'll see next spring.

Lemon306, do you have any to spare? I'd just love to try it. I'm in north MS, and can provide the dry it needs...

FlowrLady
pwgunter@msn.com

I live in Mohawk Lake, just west of Booneville. I brought my plant from Indiana when we moved here. It is doing great. I did amend the soil some with mulch and black dirt. This spring I am going to lay a branch or two in the ground to start new ones. Connie

Hi, I bought Russian Sage from Home Depot last year and planted it in an old #2 washtub that had holes rotted out of the bottom. Filled it with mixture of cow manure, peat moss and topsoil. Made the mistake of planting only one plant. Fed it Miracle grow and it grew 3'high and 5'wide. It was thick and beautiful. Planted pineapple sage too. One plant. 5' tall and 5' wide. Just has to have good drainage and good food. Light soil. Good luck. They are both beautiful.

Hi, My Russian Sage is long, leggy and looks sloppy and out of control. Any pruning tips? Wanda

I think I may have some Russian Sage. It doesn't look so hot. I'm going to move it to a sunny spot. Right now it gets partial sun. It's leggy and slopping I think it might be because it's not getting enough sun.