Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Spire'

Description and General Information

• Botanical Name: Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’

• Common Name: Russian Sage ‘Blue Spire’

• Plant Type: Hardy, deciduous sub-shrub with woody stems and aromatic foliage.

• Growth Habit: Upright, airy structure with fine, silvery-grey leaves and spikes of lavender-blue flowers. Grows to 90–120 cm tall with a spread of around 60–90 cm.

• Foliage: Finely divided, grey-green leaves with a distinct aromatic scent when touched.

• Flowers: Long-lasting sprays of violet-blue flowers from mid-summer to early autumn.

• Seasonal Interest: Attractive for its silver foliage and airy flowers, which add lightness to mixed borders and contrast beautifully with darker-leaved plants.

• Garden Uses: Ideal for mixed herbaceous borders, gravel gardens, Mediterranean-style planting, or as a pollinator-friendly feature in wildlife gardens.

• Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland, tolerating cold winters.

Planting Conditions and Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Thrives best in full sun—essential for maximum flower production and to keep stems strong and upright.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers well-drained soil and will tolerate poor, sandy, or gravelly conditions; avoid heavy clay unless improved with grit and compost.

• pH Range: Adaptable to acidic, neutral, or alkaline soils.

• Moisture Needs: Low water requirements once established; drought-tolerant, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

• Planting Time: Best planted in spring or autumn when soil is warm and moist enough for root establishment.

• Spacing: Allow 60–90 cm between plants to ensure good air circulation.

• Shelter Needs: Best in open, sunny locations; too much shade can cause plants to become leggy.

• Companion Planting: Pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses (Stipa tenuissima, Pennisetum) and perennials like Echinacea, Rudbeckia, and Lavandula.

• Container Growing: Can be grown in large pots using a gritty, free-draining compost mix.

Routine Care, Feeding, and Seasonal Maintenance

• Watering:

  • Water regularly during the first season to help roots establish.

  • Once mature, water sparingly—only during extended dry spells.

• Feeding:

  • Apply a light, general-purpose fertiliser in spring for healthy growth.

  • Avoid excessive feeding, which can cause floppy growth.

• Pruning:

  • Cut back hard in early spring (to around 20 cm above ground) to encourage strong new shoots and compact growth.

  • Avoid pruning in autumn as new growth may be damaged by frost.

• Mulching:

  • Apply a thin layer of mulch in spring to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds; avoid mulching directly against stems.

• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally pest- and disease-free, though waterlogged conditions can cause root rot.

• Winter Care: Very hardy; in colder areas, leaving old stems over winter can provide extra protection to the crown.

• Weed Control: Keep the base free of competing weeds for best performance.

• Longevity: Long-lived with minimal care, making it a great investment for perennial planting schemes.

• Size
  C 2,3

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.