As October rolls around and the leaves begin to turn, it’s time to shift your attention to preparing your garden for the cold months ahead.
If you’re like me and love the wispy, lavender blooms of Russian sage, you’ll want to make sure this tough yet elegant perennial makes it through the winter unscathed.
Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is one of those plants that seem effortless to grow in the heat of summer, but the key to keeping it looking its best year after year is giving it some TLC before winter arrives.
I’ve been growing Russian sage for over a decade, and after some trial and error, I’ve learned what works to help these lovely plants survive the winter and come back even stronger in the spring.
Here’s what you need to do in October to make sure your Russian sage is well-protected for the colder months.
Avoid Cutting Back Too Early
One of the first things many gardeners think about in the fall is cutting back their perennials, but when it comes to Russian sage, it’s best to wait.
Russian sage has woody stems that offer protection during the winter months.
If you cut it back too early, you’ll remove this natural insulation, leaving the plant more vulnerable to frost and cold weather.
Instead, let the plant stand through the winter, and plan to do your pruning in the early spring when the risk of frost has passed.
I made the mistake of cutting back my Russian sage too early in my first year of gardening, thinking I was tidying up the garden for winter.
What happened instead was that the new growth I encouraged got zapped by frost, leaving the plant weakened.
Since then, I’ve learned to leave the stems standing until spring.
Not only does this help protect the plant, but the silvery stems also add some winter interest to the garden.
Water Deeply Before the Ground Freezes
Russian sage is drought-tolerant, but that doesn’t mean it won’t appreciate a deep drink of water before winter sets in.
October is a great time to give your plants one final thorough watering before the ground freezes.
This helps hydrate the roots and prepare the plant for the dry months ahead, especially if your area hasn’t had much rainfall in the fall.
I remember one year we had a particularly dry autumn, and I didn’t think much about watering my Russian sage before winter.
The next spring, I noticed that my plants were slow to wake up and didn’t look as lush as they usually did.
Since then, I make sure to water deeply in mid to late October, making sure the moisture reaches the root zone before the ground freezes.
Mulch to Insulate the Roots
Although Russian sage is pretty hardy, especially in USDA zones 4-9, it can still benefit from a layer of mulch to protect the roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In October, after your final deep watering, add a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant.
Aim for about 2-3 inches of mulch, keeping it away from the stems to prevent rot.
I like to use shredded leaves or straw as mulch for my Russian sage because it breaks down slowly and adds nutrients to the soil.
One year, I skipped mulching altogether, thinking that Russian sage was tough enough to handle the winter on its own.
That spring, I noticed that some of my plants had suffered from frost heave, where the soil freezes and thaws repeatedly, pushing the roots up out of the ground.
Now, mulching is a step I never skip.
Don’t Fertilize in October
As tempting as it may be to give your plants one last boost of nutrients before winter, October is not the time to fertilize your Russian sage.
Fertilizing encourages new growth, and new growth is tender and much more vulnerable to frost damage.
Instead, allow your Russian sage to naturally go dormant in the fall.
I stop fertilizing my Russian sage by mid to late summer, allowing the plant to focus on hardening off its existing growth rather than producing tender new shoots.
I made the mistake once of applying fertilizer in late fall, thinking it would help the plants store up energy for the winter.
What I ended up doing was encouraging a flush of new growth that didn’t have time to toughen up before the frost hit.
The result?
Damaged, weakened plants that took longer to recover the following spring.
Since then, I’ve learned to resist the urge to fertilize late in the season.
Consider Wind Protection for Exposed Areas
If your Russian sage is planted in an area that’s exposed to strong winter winds, you might want to consider offering it some protection.
While the plant itself is pretty tough, constant wind exposure can dry out the stems and make them more susceptible to cold damage.
Building a simple windbreak with stakes and burlap can make a big difference in how your plants fare during harsh winter conditions.
A few years ago, we had an exceptionally windy winter, and the Russian sage I had planted in a particularly exposed area of my garden suffered from windburn.
The stems became brittle, and I had to cut them back more severely than usual in the spring.
Now, for any plants that are in windier spots, I take the extra step of putting up a temporary windbreak to shield them from the worst of the cold winds.
Let the Seed Heads Stand for Winter Interest
One of the things I love most about Russian sage is how it adds beauty to the garden well into the winter months.
As the purple-blue flowers fade, the silvery stems and seed heads provide lovely winter interest, especially when covered with a dusting of snow or frost.
Instead of cutting everything back in October, leave the seed heads standing.
Not only do they look beautiful, but they also provide food for birds during the winter.
I’ve always enjoyed watching the birds flock to my garden in the winter, picking at the seed heads of my perennials.
It’s a reminder that even when the garden seems dormant, there’s still plenty of life out there.
So, resist the urge to tidy everything up too early—let your Russian sage’s seed heads stand through the winter and enjoy the wildlife they attract.
Divide Overgrown Plants
If your Russian sage has been in the same spot for several years and is starting to look overcrowded, October is the perfect time to divide the plant.
Dividing not only gives your Russian sage more room to grow, but it also allows you to spread the beauty around your garden—or share with friends!
Carefully dig up the plant and use a sharp spade or knife to separate it into smaller sections.
Replant the divisions in a new location, water them well, and mulch around the base to help them settle in before winter.
I remember the first time I divided my Russian sage—it was amazing how many new plants I ended up with!
Not only did the original plant perk up the following spring, but I was able to fill in some bare spots in my garden with the divisions.
If you’re looking for a low-cost way to expand your garden, dividing perennials like Russian sage is the way to go.
Avoid Overwatering as Temperatures Drop
While Russian sage likes a deep drink before winter, it’s important not to overwater as temperatures continue to drop.
Once the ground starts to freeze, the plant won’t be taking up as much water, and too much moisture in the soil can lead to root rot.
After your final deep watering in October, you can ease up on the watering schedule and let nature take its course.
I’ve had seasons where I got a little too enthusiastic with my watering late in the fall, thinking I was helping my plants stay hydrated.
Instead, I ended up creating soggy conditions that led to root rot in a few of my perennials.
Now, I monitor the soil moisture closely and only water when absolutely necessary after the ground starts to freeze.
Ensure Proper Drainage
One of the most important things you can do to ensure your Russian sage survives the winter is to make sure it’s planted in well-drained soil.
These plants don’t like “wet feet,” especially during the winter when the soil stays wet for longer periods.
If your Russian sage is planted in an area with poor drainage, consider amending the soil with organic matter or even relocating the plant to a drier spot.
I have some Russian sage planted in a raised bed with excellent drainage, and those plants have always done better through the winter than the ones I planted in lower, soggier areas.
If your soil tends to hold water, it’s worth taking the time to improve the drainage to help your Russian sage get through the winter months.
Be Patient in Spring
One thing to keep in mind is that Russian sage can be slow to wake up in the spring.
After a long winter, it might be tempting to think that your plants didn’t make it, but give them time.
Russian sage tends to be a late riser, especially in cooler climates.
I’ve had years where I thought for sure my plants were dead, only to see new growth start to emerge weeks after everything else in the garden had already leafed out.
If you’re worried about your Russian sage not coming back, just be patient.
In most cases, it will bounce back once the temperatures warm up consistently.
Final Thoughts
As October brings cooler weather and shorter days, it’s time to start thinking about how to prepare your Russian sage for the winter ahead.
By following a few simple steps—such as leaving the stems standing, watering deeply before the first freeze, mulching to protect the roots, and avoiding late-season fertilization—you’ll give your Russian sage the best chance to survive the winter and come back stronger next spring.
Gardening is a learning process, and over the years, I’ve discovered that a little bit of fall care goes a long way when it comes to the health and vitality of your plants.
With just a bit of effort in October, you’ll be rewarded with lush, thriving Russian sage in the months to come.
Happy gardening, and may your Russian sage flourish for many seasons ahead!