Good Companion Plants for Russian Sage

 When I first moved into my home (with an all-dirt backyard), I dreamt of looking out at a sea of lavender from my kitchen window.  And here it is, five years later: & I’m looking out at an incredible sea of lavender.  Only….it’s not lavender: it’s Russian Sage!  The two plants look almost identical, but Russian sage is far more drought-tolerant, grows taller (up to 5+ feet), & stays in bloom longer.  There are sooo many good things about this plant!!  Here, we’ll discover some “Good Companion Plants for Russian Sage,” that compliment this hearty purple stunner.

White hydrangeas are my favorite companion plants for Russian sage. And I prefer panicle hydrangeas in Zone 6: they’re easier to grow than traditional, big-leaf hydrangeas ~ & able to handle the heat! 

 

Quick Fire hydrangeas are some of the easiest-to-grow hydrangeas…that can handle temperatures into the 100’s!  Both hydrangeas & Russian sage work well in French country gardens…& Wayfair has asked me to curate my own French country garden collection ~ which can be found here!

List of Companion Plants for Russian Sage

 When you’re thinking of great companion plants for Russian sage, think of colors that look best by purple: white, hot pink (I LOVE the hot pink David Austin roses behind my Russian sages ~ it’s a great contrast), light pink, other purple plants (though there’s less contrast), blue flowers (like soaring delphiniums), anything in the orange/apricot family, & yellow.

Colors that don’t look good next to purple, in my opinion, are anything RED: it’s just not a great pairing. 

You can also place leafy shrubs or climbing vines around your Russian sage.  And in terms of seasons: I wouldn’t plant spring-blooming plants next to your Russian sage ~ because they’ll never bloom at the same time!  Russian sages love heat: so they’ll turn purple anywhere from mid-June thru late fall. 

Place them next to other summer & fall bloomers…to maximize your color palette.  

Great Plant Pairings with Russian Sage:

• Pink roses, white, blush, orange, apricot, or yellow roses ~ just think: anything in the pastel category; 
• In a French country garden, there’s nothing prettier (in my opinion) than white hydrangeas next to Russian sage: this provides such a striking contrast. As mentioned, I love panicle hydrangeas for their heartiness: Limelight & Quick Fire are two of the best varieties….& SO hearty!!  (I planted mine in 90-degree weather: & they’re still doing great!)
• Beautiful climbing roses, or other climbers like Star Jasmine, honeysuckle, Virgina Creepers, bougainvillea (in warmer climates), or calliandra (also great in warmer climates, like Palm Springs);
• Hot pink dianthus (but because it’s a low plant, it might eventually get overwhelmed by the much-taller Russian sage);
• Other tall flowering plants like foxgloves & delphiniums, phlox (my hot pink phlox looks great by Russian sage!), gorgeous peonies (though they’re spring-blooming, this is still a pretty pairing), or even show-stopping dahlias;
• In a more natural or xeriscaped yard: native grasses are a great pairing with drought-resistant Russian sage.  My favorite native grass is popular Karl Foerster.  But there are so many grasses to choose from ~ ask your local nursery about the easiest-to-grow in your region.  Fescue, muhly, & pampas grass are just a few of many options here…
• You can also place colorful annuals around your Russian sage: such as snapdragons (whose pastel color palette goes perfectly with purple), vibrant daisies, violas, pansies, Asiatic lilies, or zinnias.  Just plant them far enough away so they don’t get crowded out or overshadowed;
• Russian sage will attract bees & pollinators to your garden: which is great!  Because of this, consider placing them by fruit trees, or even near your veggie garden….in order for pollinators to spread love to your “Edible Garden;”

Photos of Russian Sage + Good Companions

Read More Gardening Articles:

• Is Russian Sage Drought-Tolerant? 
• Best Companion Plants for Karl Foerster Grass
• How to Create a French Country Garden
• Which Hydrangeas are Most Heat-Tolerant?

 

Great Companion Plants for Russian Sage