‘Blue Jean Baby’ Russian Sage

Salvia yangii 'Blue Jean Baby' PP29,281 (syn. Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Jean Baby')

‘Blue Jean Baby’ is a compact, bushy, and vigorous cultivar of Russian Sage that offers the beloved traits of the species in a more manageable size. It features finely-textured, aromatic, gray-green foliage on strong, upright stems that resist flopping. Beginning earlier than most other varieties, it produces a profusion of lavender-blue flowers in smoky purple calyxes from mid-summer well into the fall. This tough plant is a favorite for hot, dry climates, prized for its ability to thrive in poor soils with excellent drainage, providing a long season of color and texture with minimal maintenance.

Type

Perennial

Height

-36

Width

-36

Foliage Type

Deciduous

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Requirements

Average; best in well-drained, dry to medium soil; tolerates moderate drought once established

Foliage Color

Aromatic, finely-textured, silvery-gray to gray-green

Flower Color

Lavender-blue flowers held in smoky purple calyxes

Resists

Deer
Rabbits

Attracts

Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Pollinators

Design Use

Special Traits

Notes

Pruning: Cut back hard in late winter or early spring (to within several inches of the ground) to promote dense growth and heavy blooming, as it blooms on new wood.

Maintenance: Requires excellent soil drainage to survive wet winters; avoid planting in waterlogged or heavy clay soil. It is tolerant of urban pollution and salt.

Fertilizing: Thrives in lean soils and rarely needs heavy feeding; a light, slow-release fertilizer in early spring is sufficient.

Habitat: An excellent choice for mass planting in borders, rock gardens, or xeriscaping due to its drought tolerance.

Wildlife: The plant is a magnet for a wide variety of pollinators, including diverse bee genera.

Other: Was a top performer in Chicago Botanic Garden trials, noted for its uniform size and prolific, long-lasting bloom.