Russian sage ‘Little Spire’

'Little Spire' blooming. Still tall but not like the species Russian sage.

* Common name: Dwarf Russian sage ‘Little Spire’

* Botanical name: Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Little Spire’

* What it is: A dwarf form of Russian sage, the silver-leafed, woody-stemmed, aromatic herb that blooms light purple non-stop from July to frost. Attracts bees and butterflies.

* Size: Grows about 3 feet tall with a 2-foot spread – about a foot less on both fronts than the tall and floppy species Russian sage. ‘Little Spire’ usually needs no staking.

* Where to use: Loves Mediterranean conditions – heat, sun, gravelly soil. Ideal in butterfly or perennial gardens but also around mailboxes, on sunny banks and even sunny foundations. Avoid low-lying wet spots where Russian sages are prone to root-rotting.

* Care: Cut back to 2 or 3 inches at the end of each winter. No spraying needed, and even the deer seldom touch it. A spring scattering of an organic balanced fertilizer such as Plant-tone or Flower-tone is fine if you’re in the mood. No need to water except in droughts of Biblical proportion.

* Great partner: Interplants nicely with purple coneflowers and/or pink lilies. Ornamental grasses make a nice backdrop.