A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 Russian Sage Questiong

Hi Everyone...
We bought some Russian Sage last summer. How far should they be pruned back before spring starts?
Thanks for the help!
Greg

It is best to only cut it back 12" or less, leaving at least 6". Russian Sage will develop a woody base as it matures, and you don't want to cut down past that base.

Is your weather starting to break? We have a cold front coming in tonight and below freezing temps. I would not trim any of your plant until your last danger of frost has past. Here it is Memorial Day and after. I haven't trimmed my Russian Sage in 2 years. While outdoors yesterday cleaning up garden debris, I did notice new growth on mine. This leads me to believe that it as other bushes will bloom on last year's growth.Others with more extensive knowledge will better advise you.

Russian sage blooms best on new growth so, my sources say cut it way back to the ground although you can leave a short woody framework at the base like Alankhart suggested and prune it a bit higher. I always cut mine back to the ground. Actually, I pruned mine last fall. It's okay to go ahead and prune yours now, it's plenty hardy, so freezing temperatures won't hurt it.

I don't know a whole lot about russian sage but I used to have one that I didn't much like it so I MOWED it down every year about august. Nothing killed that thing. It came back bigger and better every year. The bottom eventually got too woody and tough to mow so I finally chopped it out with various tools and it didn't come back. Maybe they are more delicate if you like having them around?

I love Russian Sage . They look great when mixed in with black-eyed susans too.
Either way its a winner.

Good Luck
BFVISION