Perennials this Month - December 1996

Dr. Leonard P. Perry, Extension Associate Professor, University of Vermont

Plant of the Month: Perovskia atriplicifolia, Russian Sage

height x width: 36-48"

flowers: blue lavender, early summer to mid fall

hardiness: USDA zones 4?, 5-10

interest: *1995 Perennial Plant of the Year (Perennial Plant Assn.)
*long-flowering
*grey-green foliage, "mist" effect to garden, "toothed" leaf margins, silver-white stems
*minimal pests, disease
*good winter interest, "shrubby" semi-woody perennial
*from Himalayas

More new or proven perennials!

*Pulmonaria 'Excalibur'-- like others of genus only mainly white leaves with green margins; blue flowers mid-spring to early summer, longer than most in genus; 12" x 18"; new from breeding of Dan Heims of Portland, Oregon; prefers partial shade.
*Hemerocallis 'Prairie Blue Eyes'-- not really a new variety but good standard one; lavender flowers with yellow throat, about 5" wide, early to mid-summer; performs well in all parts of country; 24-30" x 20-24"; best inb full sun.
*Perovskia 'Longin'-- Swiss cultivar; more erect than species and leaves less serrated on margins, also less sprawling; blue lavender, mid-summer to mid-fall; 48" x 60".

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