Lacey Blue Russian Sage
Best low-maintenance perennial for busy gardeners seeking deer-resistant summer color.
Discover the Lacey Blue Russian Sage, a hardy perennial offering an improved, sturdy, and compact form that resists flopping. Its aromatic, gray-green foliage is naturally avoided by deer, making it a low-maintenance choice for your garden. This easy-care plant thrives in full sun and low water conditions once established, producing colorful blooms from summer into early fall. Perfect for borders, accents, or mass plantings, it brings reliable seasonal interest with minimal effort. Pruning in late winter or early spring encourages dense growth and abundant flowering.
$14.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1768
/ 2693
#1768 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-66%
Below average
Mature Height
18
/ in
Who it's for
- Busy gardeners needing low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennials
- Urban gardeners with limited space for containers or borders
- Pollinator enthusiasts wanting long-blooming, fragrant garden accents
Who should skip it
- Gardeners working with heavy, moisture-retaining clay soil
- Low-effort gardeners avoiding seasonal maintenance tasks
- Minimalists wanting to avoid managing plant spread
Performance breakdown
Structural Integrity
Sturdy, compact habit eliminates the common issue of flopping stems.
Drought Tolerance
Thrives in lean soil with minimal water once fully established.
Pest Resistance
Aromatic foliage naturally deters deer from grazing on your garden.
Bloom Longevity
Provides reliable color from early summer well into the fall.
Maintenance Ease
Simple seasonal pruning is all that is required for success.
Versatility
Adapts perfectly to containers, borders, or expansive mass landscape plantings.
Key Specs
Mature Height
18 in
Mature Width
26 in
Light Needs
Full sun
Water Needs
Low
Bloom Time
Summer to early fall
Hardiness Zone
04-09
Soil Drainage
Fast-draining
Soil Type
Lean
Features
- Compact, non-flopping form
- Heat and drought tolerant
- Deer-resistant aromatic foliage
- Easy care requirements
- Promotes dense growth and bloom
- Suitable for containers
- Long bloom time
- Low water needs
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and vigor of the Lacey Blue Russian Sage received from Monrovia. The primary sentiment revolves around the plant's robust health and its reliable performance as a low maintenance, drought tolerant perennial. Gardeners appreciate how quickly the sage establishes itself, providing vibrant color and texture with minimal effort, making it a high value addition to xeriscapes or challenging sunny spots.
Know before you buy
Lacey Blue is specifically bred for a more compact, sturdy habit that resists the flopping often seen in taller, traditional Russian Sage varieties. It maintains a tighter, neater shape at 18 inches tall, making it better suited for smaller spaces or containers.
Yes, its primary improvement over older varieties is its structural integrity. It is designed to remain upright and dense throughout the season without the need for staking or support.
Lacey Blue thrives in lean, fast-draining soil. It does not tolerate 'wet feet,' so avoid planting it in heavy clay or areas that hold standing water, as this can lead to root rot.
Once established, this plant is highly drought-tolerant and requires very little supplemental water. It prefers to be on the drier side, making it an excellent choice for low-water landscapes or xeriscaping.
Prune your plant in late winter or early spring just as new growth begins to appear. Cutting it back encourages a denser, more compact form and promotes more abundant flowering throughout the summer.
Yes, the foliage is aromatic and naturally unappealing to deer. While no plant is 100% deer-proof, this variety is a reliable choice for gardens in areas with high deer pressure.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$15