There is a perennial that can offer a wonderful burst of bluish purple that is frequently ignored if you prefer making dry flower wreaths and using dry flowers in home décor.
In the middle of Missouri, where I live, Russian Sage is growing everywhere. Because it is a common landscaping plant, companies frequently employ it to add color. They were removed by one company I know because they attracted bees, which of course I loved to see. That gave me the idea to include them in my garden.
This hardy perennial dries quickly. After removing the blue spikes, hang the greenery and stems for a few days to allow them to dry.
In my garage, I hang coat hangers. If the temperature drops, hang them in a basket over your refrigerator, where the heat from the motor will dry them up nicely.
Once it has dried, Russian sage is simple to integrate into wreaths and other dry flower arrangements.
In a bathroom without any windows, I also have a bouquet of dried Russian sage. When I won’t have fresh flowers to add in the winter, the bluish purple tint offers a lovely burst of color.
Russian sage loses its smell after drying. It occured to me that even though I don’t use oils, you could easily add a drop of lavender.
Small sprigs of Russian sage were added as a beautiful splash of color to my outside grapevine wreaths. My front porch’s grapevine wreath features a tiny gourd bluebird that is lovely to embellish with dried flowers and branches. The deer will undoubtedly inform me of their opinions.
Can the blossoms of Russian sage be dried?
A: According to Springfield Township’s Becker’s Cottage Garden Herb Farm’s Jan Becker, a herb specialist, you may. She claimed that it can be used in arrangements with dried flowers or just to give a space a fresh minty scent. She suggested hanging it in an open, preferably dark area, upside down.
Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is not a real sage, despite its name. Although some individuals eat the blossoms, this sub-shrub is typically grown solely for decorative purposes. But avoid eating the leaves. They have a mild toxicity.
How can I dry sage from Russia?
Russian Sage is an alien species. The Perovskia genus is indigenous to central Asian highlands, including those in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and China. Perovskia was found in 1840, and Vasily Alekseevich Perovski, a Russian governor and general, is likely the source of the name.
Russia grabbed the chance to expand its borders into central Asia in 1839, when the British were preoccupied with the First Anglo-Afghan War. With more than 5000 soldiers and 10,000 camels, Russian forces under Perovski’s command invaded The Khanate of Khiva with the claim that they were looking for slave traders. Without engaging in a single fight, severe winter weather within three months prompted a retreat that lost 1000 lives.
Perovski returned to The Khanates of Khiva and Kokan around 12 years later with more knowledge, better preparation, and better weather. The capture of the Kokanians’ Fortress Ak-Mechet, which was located “within Russian territory,” was arguably his greatest military achievement.
Perovski reminded the Kokands in a courteous manner “Even though you are inside Ak-Mechet, it is already taken, and you cannot help but realize that I am able to kill every single one of you without sacrificing a single one of my troops. The Russians have arrived here permanently, not just for a day or a year. They won’t take a break. Ask for compassion if you want to live; if you want to die in Ak-Mechet, you are free to do so; I am not in a rush and will not pressure you. I’ll say it again: I’ve come not to offer you fighting but to batter you until you throw open your gates.”
Due to the effectiveness of his diplomacy, Perovski was able to secure a treaty for Russia in 1854. A count was conducted for Perovski. Fort Perovski was given the name Fortress Ak-Mechet. By 1924, the Soviet Union had incorporated Khiva and Kokan (which together formed Kazakhstan). The Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991. Kazakhstan is currently a sovereign Turkic nation. There are still some Russians.
Although it belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which also includes lavender, mint, salvia, and other plants, Russian Sage is not a real sage. Like many of its relatives, it has aromatic essential oils in its leaves and stems. Despite being well recognized for more than a century, decorative gardens did not frequently use it until quite recently. P. atriplicifolia has been the most popular species (pronounced at-ry-pliss-ih-FOH-lee-uh). It certainly helped that the Perennial Plant Association named it the Perennial Plant Of The Year in 1995.
Russian Sage has long, wispy stems and tiny, light blue flowers held above silvery foliage, giving it the appearance of lavender from a distance. Bring some leaves to your nose after crushing them between your fingers. Inhale. It is clear there is a family link. (At this point, I wish that technology would support a “scratch and sniff” link.)
Perovskia atriplicifolia reaches a height of 36 “and at least as wide, if not more. Newer cultivars might be smaller.
Few gardeners would dedicate a Russian Sage garden the way they might a rose garden, but a mass planting is amazing. In mixed perennial borders, it works wonders for adding color and texture contrast. Russian sage is also useful in herb, butterfly, and cutting gardens, naturalized meadows, scent gardens, and cutting gardens. It’s ideal for setups with dried flowers. Short hedges, open fields, borders, and knot gardens are all suitable places to plant Russian sage.
Do you reside in a dry region of the country? Is your consumption of water limited? When established, Russian Sage can withstand drought. It can survive smog in the inner city because it is adapted to tough surroundings. Do animals like deer and rabbits visit your garden to eat? Deer and rabbits can’t eat Russian Sage. Even some insects and vermin may be repelled by the essential oils.
Russian sage flowers, which bloom in late spring to early fall, are edible. They have a faint sweetness to them. You can add them as a garnish to salads, baked dishes, and pastries.
Russian sage has traditionally been used medicinally to lower fever, but I strongly advise you to consult your doctor before trying to treat yourself or others.
Russian Sage prefers full sun, well-drained soils, and a pH range of 5.1 to 6.5. It is typically hardy in USDA climatic zones 5 through 9. Visit the closest Cooperative Extension Service office with a soil sample for accurate analysis. There can be a minor cost.
Cultivate at least 6 inches of the planting bed to prepare it “deep, eradicating all weed traces. Compacted soil needs to be tilled up to 10 “deep. The soil may be amended using compost. The top 4″ to 6” of the soil should be amended with 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of no more than 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Don’t let any portion of your plants come in contact with synthetic fertilizers.
Plants should be spaced 24 to 36″ apart. Less than the depth of the growing container, make planting holes in the prepared soil. After giving the potted plants water, drain them. Backfill the holes after inserting the plants, watering each time. Around the root balls, compact the dirt. Don’t completely bury the root balls under soil. The tops ought to be just a little exposed. Add about 1 inch of mulch as a top-dressing around the plants, not on top of them “deep.
Combine Russian Sage with other plants that demand a similar climate. Sparingly fertilize, and wait a day or two before watering. Overwatering is the main reason for failure.
Russian Sage should be trimmed using small hand clippers just as the flower buds begin to open for cutting and drying. Dry stems by hanging them upside-down in a warm, dry, shaded area. Within a week, the cuttings ought to be dried.
I adore plants that are stunning, aromatic, practical, simple to grow, and have interesting histories. Such a plant is Russian Sage.
What can I make with the blooms of Russian sage?
Although the Russian sage plant’s leaves aren’t particularly tasty, its peppery-flavored blooms can be eaten. The leaves can be used as a garnish or steeped as a tea that many people report helps with digestive pain.
Are Russian sages suitable as cut flowers?
- Russian sage is a striking undiscovered cut flower that draws butterflies and bees.
- Perfectly complements other low-water plants like lavender, sedum, and ornamental grasses. It also gets along well with succulents with bold leaves like big agaves and aloes.
- In addition to xeriscapes, hillsides, and rock landscapes, Russian sage blends in with deer-frequented, Mediterranean-themed gardens.
Is Russian sage harmful to people?
Because it would take a lot of effort to consume enough of the herb to become ill, Russian sage is not thought to be harmful. However, it makes sense to proceed with caution. Young children might be drawn to the sprawling, erect habit of Russian sage, possibly as a location to play hide and seek. If you have a dog that enjoys chasing a ball, the target of his adoration can accidentally land in the shrub. If either of these situations applies to your household, it could be wise to plant Russian sage somewhere where kids or animals won’t get tangled in it or be drawn to its fragrant leaves.
- The amount of thujone in the beverage was ultimately found to be far lower than first believed; some early stories had the concentration at as much as 350 mg per liter when it was actually only 5 mg or less.
- If either of these situations applies to your household, it could be wise to plant Russian sage somewhere where kids or animals won’t get tangled in it or be drawn to its fragrant leaves.
Can Russian sage be smoked?
In Russia, it is occasionally used to flavor a cocktail made with vodka in addition to its usage in folk medicine.
[91] In Kashmir and other regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, its blossoms are consumed,[92] giving salads a sweet flavor. They can also be crushed to produce a blue colorant for cosmetics or as a textile dye. [93] This species’ quick development, resistance to arid environments, and capacity to absorb poisonous heavy metals from contaminated soil make it a potential candidate for use in phytoremediation. [94]
Particularly with reference to Tropidion castaneum beetles and Camponotus maculatus carpenter ants, the essential oil can act as a biopesticide.
[95]
Is there any purpose for Russian sage?
People relied on homemade treatments for a range of maladies even before the fight over universal healthcare, insurance corporations, and Big Pharma. In actuality, numerous societies continue to successfully use plants and herbs for therapeutic purposes. You can utilize the herbs to treat your illnesses if you maintain a garden or have planter boxes where you can grow typical ornamental garden herbs. These herbs are a few to try:
Russian Sage
Russian sage is a perennial plant with purple blossoms that not only looks lovely in a garden but also provides a number of health advantages. Sage leaves can be used to make a medicinal tea that can aid with indigestion and stomach aches by steeping the leaves in boiling water for 15 to 30 minutes.
Russian sage tea can also be used to reduce fever. Herbalists advise letting the tea cool before soaking it up with a towel and applying it to the forehead as a compress. This practice has been proved to benefit persons who have fevers due to the sage essence being absorbed by the skin and the calming sensation of the perfume. Additionally, you can place the sage leaves right in boiling water and breathe in the fragrant steam to unclog nasal airways and relieve bronchial congestion brought on by colds and flus.
Wild Thyme
Similar to how sage was popularized by the Simon & Garfunkel song “Scarborough Fair” in 1968, thyme is an evergreen bush. Thyme has been utilized as a medicine for thousands of years, despite the fact that it may be used in cooking. Thyme is an antioxidant, promotes heart health and blood flow, and can be used as a natural cough suppressant. Tea and thyme essential oil have been shown to be effective in treating acute bronchitis, and thyme is a rich source of vitamins A and C, which support a healthy immune system. Thyme also contains antifungal characteristics, making it a natural disinfectant for areas with little to no mold growth. Simply combine some water and thyme essential oil in a spray bottle and mist mold with it.
Lavender
Similar to Russian sage, lavender is a purple flowering plant that gives any garden personality. The calming qualities of lavender are highly praised, and lavender essential oil is frequently used as a sleep aid. To unwind and help you relax before bed, try adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to your pillow or bathwater. Lavender tea is a great choice for a nightcap because studies have shown that it has favorable impacts on mental health, such as reducing emotions of tension and worry. Lavender’s calming properties also make it the perfect remedy for soothing skin after being bitten by insects like spiders and mosquitoes. For rapid relief, simply break the lavender plant’s leaves and apply the oils onto the skin’s troubled area.
Peppermint
Another great plant to have in the garden is peppermint, which may give pastries a flavor boost. However, peppermint occasionally has the capacity to benefit your health. Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and upset stomach are both treated by peppermint. An anti-spasmodic found in peppermint, methanol is best effective when crushed up into a pill that is taken. In addition to calming an upset stomach, peppermint tea can strengthen your immune system.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm, a herb with a lemon smell and a member of the same plant family as mint, has long been utilized by herbalists to elevate mood and cognitive function. However, it can also help with insomnia and calm down an upset stomach, such as nausea. Making a cup of lemon balm tea before bed has been proved to help with sleep difficulties, especially in kids. Lemon balm in your garden for the evenings your grandchildren stay with you could be beneficial for everybody!
As you can see, popular garden herbs offer a variety of medical uses. However, before trying anything new, be sure the herb you want to plant and use is safe and doesn’t have any potential drawbacks by speaking with your doctor.
Author Hilary Young is committed to promoting better, more meaningful lifestyles for senior citizens in America.