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Cottage Gardens

Russian Sage Problems

13 years ago

My russian sage plants are turning white. I planted them about 2 weeks ago. After the first week, the leaves turned brown and crispy so I went back to the nursery and they said the plants were probably stressed. Since these were young plants, for me to give them more water than normal (since they don't require much water. Now that its week 2 they have lost their purple color (I have been giving them more water as instructed.). HELP! What should I do? This is my second attempt at trying to grow these beautiful flowers.

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Comments (5)

pfmastin
13 years ago
I've found they prefer very well drained soils. My do well in the loamy sand I have in my yard. It's a hard time right now to transplant things due to the heat. I wonder if you planted them in a place with afternoon shade and then transplanted them in the fall, if it would be easier on the root systems to get started? Hope this helps.
Pam
ianna
13 years ago
When you planted it, it suffered from root shock -- also called transplant shock. When they started to show brown leaves - it probably was already in recovery stage. You didn't mention the size of the plant, but I think it would have regenerated from near the base. When you went back and were advised to water them -- you probably overwatered them. First -- with any new plants, you have to ensure the plant does not dry out. That doesn't mean you need to water daily or in huge amount. It just means, don't let the soil dry out. Secondly, this particular plant needs good drainage and you will know if there is good drainage when you water and the water will disappear within a few seconds. If it pools and take longer than a minute, then you have a hardpack clay soil - which is unsuitable.

Next time over -- if you wish to get a new russian sage, my advise is first to water the plant well a day before transplanting. This strengthens the plant. Second dig the hole before planting. This way, you can easily slide out the plant from the pot and slide it into the hole. Disturb the roots as little as possible. Don't transplant in full sun. Best time is either early morning or late afernoon when the sun is cool. Water but don't over water. In the first season, don't let the plant dry out.

Also, make sure your soil, if it is clay, or sandy, is ameneded by compost.
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ummmm..... I don't treat the Russian Sage that way, checking buds etc. Every year I cut it down to about 6 to 8" tall, well before it leafs out, I clean out the leaves & debris collected in it, usually in February so all new growth comes out of the base of the plant. If you do not do this, you will end up with a leggy & poorly shaped plant. Some advise cutting in fall if you don't want to look at the dead stems. I like the texture in winter myself so I wait until late winter. I have a very old shrub that gets wider at the base each year, its puts out new growth close to the plant. Some people complain about this "suckering" but if you think of the plant as a shrub rather than a perennial it is not a problem, they do need space. It used to look like crap before I started trimming it this way. There are some that do not get trimmed up the road, they look scraggly & much thinner with few branches. Let the plant have a few years to develop a good sized diameter at the base, I believe the flopping problems will be solved as it becomes a mature thick shrub, if planted in the correct spot with full sun. A newly purchased nursery plant can be planted any time up to six weeks before a killing frost. This is a very cold hardy shrub that thrives on neglect. Do not water it or plant in overly rich soil. I believe the dryer the soil, the better the plant looks & its less likely to flop, based on my experience. Find the driest, hottest, sunniest spot you have. Mine loves 100+ temps. in dry lean soil. Here is the plant a year ago after being trimmed that way, the plant is several years old it gets about 4' x 4' each summer (sorry, its past its first blooming prime in the photo, come fall it will bloom again thickly, without midseason trimming). This post was edited by TexasRanger10 on Wed, Apr 23, 14 at 14:06
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Hi Brit, When I want to move a plant, but am afraid of it getting scorched in the hot sun, I create a temporary sun shade for it. Sometimes I've created mini burlap tents/tarps attached to stakes or I've even simply propped a shovel up infront of the plant to protect it from the harshest rays of the sun. Someday I'll get smart and remember to save those old broken umbrellas! ;) I keep the shade up for a week or two. But, my best advice for moving plants in hot sunny times is to cut back as much foliage as possible, especially with Russian Sage. That way the plant can concentrate on restoring/repairing it's root system until it's adequate enough to support the foliage and foliage growth. Think of it as balancing the photosynthesis process between water uptake ability and sun processing. I hope this helps!
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Steve, I don't understand why you are using trellis's. None of the herbs you have have vining tendencies. If you are using the trellises for support, I'd recommend trimming back the plants instead to put more energy into making roots and filling out the plants themself. If you don't mind what the pots look like think of recycling 2 liter soda bottles, gallon jugs with the tops cut off or anything slightly resembling a gallon size pot and poke 4-5 1/4" or 1/2" holes in the bottom for drainage. If you have a recylcing center near by I've never found one that doesn't mind you going through it for containers (this is from experience) and they are free. Yard sales are another great source of cheap pots, I just bought a barrel, square plastic patio container and a 3 gal foam planter for $3 (don't be afraid to bargain...they were asking $5 for 2 of the pots and got them for $2. But do save your money and use a soil less potting mix preferably without fertilizer (the fertilizer washes out after a couple of waterings anyway). Daisy, I disagree with keeping the soil permanently moist. This may be so until and only until the plants are established, once the roots have developed enough that the plant is thriving allow to dryout between waterings. Many an herb has died from over watering, herbs prefer the soil to dryout between watering.
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girlgroupgirl
13 years ago
I've seen them growing well in one location - on a slight slope in a slightly shady area where they get AM sun and rest of the day shade here. They are beautiful and blooming now.
ianna
13 years ago
they are also good in full sun where I have mine. I've about 3 large ones and there are many seedlings that germinated on their own.
cherry67
11 years ago
Hi,
I'm having the same problem with my Russian Sage(they are still in pots awaiting planting) and was wondering what ever became of your plants? I had this problem a few weeks ago with some Russian Sage that I bought, I returned them and now their replacements are doing the same thing. :(

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