2020 Proven Winners National Perennial of the Year®

Russian sage is a widely used plant due to its beautiful texture, stately purple/blue flowers, and ease of care. That said, one challenge of Russian sage has always been finding room for tall voluminous plants, that oftentimes grow so tall they must be supported lest they lose their shape and fall over.

Denim ‘n Lace is a smaller scale perovskia selected for its strong stems, upright stems and excellent flower density/color. Airy blue/green foliage appears in mid-spring, growing quickly into a well balanced symmetrical 2’ wide by 2’ tall perennial plant. As summer approaches thin stems reach up about a foot over the foliage producing light blue flowers with light purple/pink calyxes. Denim n’ Lace has a smaller form, but higher density of flowers than many other perovskia, giving you tremendous bang for your buck in a much smaller space. Denim n’ Lace has a long bloom period, and while some pedals may fall the purple/pink calyxes will remain the entire growing season, providing season long color in an easy to care for package.

Full sun is required for perovskia, but it requires little additional care. It thrives in poor soils and hot dry climates and tolerates cold winters. Perovskia emerges later than other plants in the garden, but is worth the wait as it produces flowers nearly the entire year. Pair with earlier blooming cultivars for an all season display.

*Photo Credit: Walter Gardens

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.

Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Denim 'n Lace'

A great choice for hot, dry climates where supplemental water can be a challenge. The two requirements this plant has are full sun and well drained soil. Standing water or consistently wet soil, especially in the winter will cause problems for perovskia. Otherwise it has little cultural requirements and is especially resistant to disease. If pruning is necessary due so in the spring when new growth appears and prune back to just above the lowest bud to encourage strong regrowth and flowering in the same year.