[jzgrlduff]

There's this plant/flower/bush-type perennial that I see everywhere! I want to plant these along my sidewalk because they're so pretty, but I can't find them and I don't know what they're called.

OK, so they're about knee-high, green shrubbery, light purple flowers but longer flowers, like wisteria. Very "whispy" if you know what I mean.

Anyone?

 

[BucksMom]

I have some knee high shrubbery looking plants that have light purple longish flowers. Its lavender. Sound familiar? It is whispy and green. I'll try to find a pic for you.

 

[Melissa]

It's probably not this, but it's the first thing I thought of because I have some and it fits the rough description. Mine grows MUCH taller than knee-high though.
http://gardening.about.com/od/perennials/p/Perovskia_Pro.htm

 

[BigBrownDog]

Is the flower pendulous like wisteria? If so - I have no idea.

I was thinking maybe Russian Sage if they are not.

 

[MidwestGirl]

Hmm not sure what shrub that has long flowers. I keep thinking spirea

 

[jzgrlduff]

That's it! Russian Sage!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!

So Melis, does it bloom all season? Does it spread each year?

 

[BigBrownDog]

That's it! Russian Sage!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!

So Melis, does it bloom all season? Does it spread each year?

Not Melis- but it gets VERY tall and wide- I took mine out because it was just too big - about 5' tall and a 4' spread. The mailman could not get past it on my walk.

If you want a shorter similar look plant lavendar.

 

[jzgrlduff]

I had lavender last year and it died on me. Stayed green all winter and then as soon as spring came, it turned grey/brown and got all crispy.

but it gets VERY tall and wide- I took mine out because it was just too big - about 5' tall and a 4' spread.

That's what we're looking for. I can always cut it back if it gets out of control, right? From what I read online just now, they smell good, too. True?

 

[Melissa]

It's not like a hosta where it comes back each year coming up from the ground in a wider area. I had mine 5 years before I read that I could cut it back and it got very wide. The branches ran along the ground and then up, rather than just straight up. The ones I see planted in retail areas are never as big as mine was so I don't know if you cut it every year if it would stay smaller.

I cut mine down LOW this spring. It's already close to 3 feet high probably. It's definitely idiot-proof because I'm terrible with plants. It smells really good too. But I need to find a new place for it. It's planted under my crabapple tree and it's about to the bottom branch of the tree!

 

[jzgrlduff]

What do you do with it in the fall/winter? Just leave it and then cut it back in the spring? That's what we do with our tall grasses.

 

[BucksMom]

I had lavender last year and it died on me. Stayed green all winter and then as soon as spring came, it turned grey/brown and got all crispy.

Its supposed to get grey/brown. Thats when you cut it back or leave it if you want it to get bigger. It starts later than most perennials. Crispy, lol thats what i thought too til a neighbour told me to leave it and it grew back fine.

 

[MidwestGirl]

Macy will be glad when you plant it

 

[Melissa]

What do you do with it in the fall/winter? Just leave it and then cut it back in the spring?

Yes. You can cut it back to 6" in the spring.

 

[jzgrlduff]

Its supposed to get grey/brown. Thats when you cut it back or leave it if you want it to get bigger. It starts later than most perennials. Crispy, lol thats what i thought too til a neighbour told me to leave it and it grew back fine.

Really? I'm glad I just moved it instead of chucking it!

 

[Princess Zoe]

How about Salvia? That blooms all summer.

 

[jzgrlduff]

I have a salvia in my front perennial garden. But thanks for the reminder, I have a question on that too, for anyone who has it. Are you supposed to cut back the flowers that have already bloomed? The first bloom is already starting to fade and look crappy.

 

[BucksMom]

Really? I'm glad I just moved it instead of chucking it!

If you want it to grow bushlike, it needs full sun otherwise it will spread low to the ground. If grown in shade it produces less flowers and isn't as pretty. I've split mine 3 times from starting with a one inch potted, now i've got 3 large plants about two feet wide each. It is alot easier to control than most perennial herbish like plants. My friend had some mint that took down an entire lattice fence, she couldn't kill the stuff no matter what she tried.

 

[MicksMom]

Hang on Amy, I think I have what you're talking about. I just have to run out and get the name off the tag! LOL

ETA- OK, I was right about the name. Is this it? It's called Salvia. I have two different varities. We just bought one like what's in the link (sounds like what you are talking about). The other one is taller and less bushy (that one comes in quite a few colors).

http://celeb-city.net/category/salvia-plant

 

[Princess Zoe]

I have a salvia in my front perennial garden. But thanks for the reminder, I have a question on that too, for anyone who has it. Are you supposed to cut back the flowers that have already bloomed? The first bloom is already starting to fade and look crappy.

Yes, cut it back 2/3 and it will bloom again. That was another reason I have them. You pretty much have color all summer. you can do that with Phlox and daisies too. I only have a few things that don't bloom all summer, what can I say? I am a lazy gardener. My Peonies are fabulous right now, too bad they don't bloom all Summer.

 

[BigBrownDog]

On the Russian Sage - you can cut it back at the end of the season - like in October. You can actually cut it back pretty hard - it will send up new branches in the spring. It smells great. Also - it looks much better in groupings - one lonely plant looks rather awkward and gangly. In groups (3 plants or more) the sea of silver and lavender is impressive.