I've never bought from them and their plants are said to be very small but Bluestone Perennials is having a sale WHICH ENDS TONIGHT. I've read good things about their small plants from people who want to fill up a lot of space and will wait for things to spread but, again, I don't have personal experience with them. If you want them to plant this year instead of waiting until next year it's an option. It looks like you could get the number you want for about $50.-$60. plus shipping if they have any left. Between buying things to start seeds, make garden beds and amend soil, containers, plants and everything else included in this gardening venture the money has added up to a level I never imagined. Another $50-$70 isn't anything to sneeze at so it would be understandable if you're willing to wait til next year to have Russian Sage from your own sowing. Just thought I'd share another option if it suits your situation. :) Another option is finding a perennial nursery within reasonable driving distance from your home. A nursery about 45 minutes from me is technically only wholesale but they said they'd sell to an individual if I stopped by. They actually have two varieties of Russian Sage on their web site inventory list. Here is a link that might be useful: Russian Sage Sale

aliska: I looked at the photos, some of purple loosestrife, which is really a much maligned plant. It is that. Think my photo of P-LS is on that thread, was thinking when I took it up the river how pretty it was and that I'd like to grow some. Not sure but what I had some volunteers by the alley and it died away. But because it's considered invasive, is banned in some states, I concede to be "EC" (environmentally correct) and won't grow it, enough else to choose from. If you have enough sun, I think you'll love to plant it next spring--put it in your fire hydrant grouping, ha ha. miriam Yeah, I have some lilies there, pretty red freebie w/an order, not the ditch lilies some put by theirs) added a spring-blooming daisy (not oxe-eye - another invasive here alTHOUGH one clump in the back, I spotted some in that, freecycle trade, so I will have to be vigilant and yank any oxe-eyes that come up out). Anyway, I have a spot saved, you gave me the idea, thank you muchly, and that will be perfect. That whole front near the street and either side of the sidewalk is absolute, full sun, only place in my whole yard. We're really not supposed to plant there, but lots do. It probably tolerates dryness, too, and should really hide that hydrant although they might mess it up, my gamble, they being the city & fire dept, already splattered yellow paint on my daisy and lilies. And I didn't plant the common orange ones but a pretty freebie I got with an order. Dogs do their thing there, too :-(. The narrower side boulevard is full sun, too, but the street gets salted so I don't think it would be wise to try much along there.

I had/have Russian Sage in the front yard garden. It spread like crazy. I dug it up this spring and moved it to the back yard. However, I have about a dozen new plants in the bed I replanted with other things. It's pretty. A nice silvery color and has the sent and flowers of other sages. Against a white building I'd be inclined to want darker leaves than Russian Sage offers. Sage wouldn't hurt your cucumbers, however. Here's a link to a companion planting site that could give you some other ideas. http://member.melbpc.org.au/~slees/companionrotationtable.htm

Hi Transplant, Where are you on the south end? If you're east, there's Tagawa Garden Center just north of Parker on Parker Road about 2 miles south of Arapahoe Road (on the west side). I just checked their website, and they seem to have a pretty good basic collection of perennials. I was surprised, though, that their perennial list only has the genus and not the species for most of their plants which makes it pretty hard to use if you're looking for something very specific (they do list variety names for many of them). The sedum's, for instance, if you don't know the variety name, you can't tell if it's an upright sedum or a groundcover one. When shopping in person, of course, this wouldn't be a problem---and I assume the tags with their plants show the species. They will definitely be the best thing on the south end of town and unless you're looking for some of the more unusual things, I think you'll be happy with what they have and the quality--they grow many of their own plants at their wholesale location in Brighton. However-----if you're on the southWEST side of town, I still recommend you head up to Timberline! Or if you're south-central, head straight up I25 to the 58th Avenue exit for Paulino's. Both will have a more complete selection than Tagawa's and both also grow much of their own stock on location. Paulino's, by the way, has their perennials at 40% off now, and I assume Timberline has theirs on sale too, but I don't know how much off. You should be able to find most of the things in the High Country catalog at Timberline or Paulino's. I have all the catalogs, but I don't buy mail order unless I absolutely have to. I want to be able to look at the plant--and roots--before I pay for it! Happy shopping, Skybird