Pruning a Russian Sage

Russian sage is a perennial woody shrub that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, with feathery gray-green, silvery leaves and small, trumpet-like purple flowers. The plant is called sage because of the scent the leaves give when crushed, but Russian sage is not in the sage family, and it is not edible. The plant is from Afghanistan, Pakistan and high elevations of Tibet.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Prune Russian sage in spring before any growth starts, and prune only once during the year. Mid March to early April is the target pruning time.

   • 2

     Cut all branches with sharp pruning shears at a slight angle.

   • 3

     Make cuts 6 to 8 inches from the ground. This encourages bushy, full growth when the plants start to grow.