Good Companion Plants for Russian Sage

 When I originally 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, nearly five years later: & I’m looking out at an incredible sea of lavender.  Only….it’s not lavender: it’s Russian Sage!  Though it looks identical to lavender, 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.

Russian Sage sits in the foreground here, mingled with boxwoods & beautiful white hydrangeas.

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

 

Quick Fire hydrangeas are some of the easiest-to-grow hydrangeas…that can withstand high temperatures (into the 100’s)!

List of Companion Plants for Russian Sage

 When you’re thinking of great companion plants for Russian sage, think of all the 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.

My yard at sunset: hot pink phlox & David Austin roses amidst my towering Russian sages.

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….& like Russian sage, 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 (check out Floret Farm’s dahlias….they’re incredible);
• 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;”

The Russian sage here looks beautiful with ornamental grasses behind it, & beautiful yellow lilies beside it. Photo: BirdsandBlooms.com

Photos of Russian Sage + Good Companions

The repetition of ornamental grasses around Russian sage makes a striking contrast with this modern home. Photo: Gardenista.

I love how the white hydrangea strikes a brilliant contrast next to the towering Russian sage…

This isn’t Russian sage: but I included this photo to show how beautiful yellow roses are beside purple plants. Photo: Nature & Garden.

In this stunning formal garden, neat boxwood hedges surround more wild Russian sage…with punctuations from white hydrangea trees. Photo: Jenny Haddad.

Back to my garden: pink phlox is in the foreground here, with Russian sage & Karl Foerster grass behind it.

Pink muhly grass adds an ethereal touch beside Russian sage. Photo: Red Dirt Ramblings.

Back to my favorite: beautiful Limelight hydrangeas surround wispy Russian sage…

Great Companion Plants for Russian Sage