Perovskia CrazyBlue

Perovskia atriplicifolia 'CrazyBlue'

Common Name: Russian Sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia, commonly called Russian sage, is a woody-based perennial of the mint family which typically grows 2-4' (less frequently to 5') tall and features finely-dissected, aromatic (when crushed), gray-green leaves on stiff, upright, square stems and whorls of two-lipped, tubular, light blue flowers tiered in branched, terminal panicles (12-15" high). Long summer bloom period. Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year (1995).

Genus name honors Russian general V. A. Perovski (1794 – c. 1857).

Specific epithet means with leaves resembling salt-bush.

‘CrazyBlue’ is a compact-mounded Russian sage cultivar that typically matures to only 14” tall on stiff, upright, silvery stems clad with aromatic (strong sage aroma) silvery gray-green leaves (to 3” long). Purple-violet to violet-blue flowers bloom in whorls from late spring to late summer. ‘CrazyBlue’ originated in a controlled breeding program which took place in Hem, The Netherlands in September of 2009. It was selected in August 2010 from an open pollination of Perovskia atriplicifolia plants.

Zone: 5 to 9

Height: 0.75 to 1.50 feet

Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet

Bloom Time: June to September

Bloom Description: Purple-violet

Sun: Full sun

Water: Dry to medium

Maintenance: Low

Flower: Showy

Leaf: Fragrant

Tolerate: Rabbit, Deer, Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Air Pollution