Russian sage , which is now hump as Salvia yangii but used to be called Perovskia atriplicifolia , has bright purple bloom that look like lavender . They go well with its gray - green leaves and give any garden more colour . This sturdy perennial plant can maturate in USDA industrial plant hardiness zones 3–9 . It can handle drought , and even though it ’s called “ sage , ” it ’s not the same plant as the edible culinary sage . Move your Russian salvia to a spot that wo n’t inundate in the wintertime or soak the roots too deeply , which is bad for the plant life .
With its airy purple flower spike and silvery foliage , Russian salvia ( Perovskia ) is a gorgeous addition to gardens It thrives in full sun and is highly drouth tolerant However , you may find it necessary to transplant an existing Russian sage plant to a new location . hump the optimum time to move this perennial is key to success .
In this article , we ’ll research when Russian sage can be safely transplanted for the high survival rate We ’ll go over the best times to transfer in spring , summer , dip , and wintertime

An Overview of Transplanting Russian Sage
Russian sage is a long - survive perennial in zona 3 - 9 that can uprise quite expectant under ideal conditions , reaching up to 5 feet tall and full . It feature an extensive ascendant system .
When transplanting , it ’s important to move as much of the intact base ball as potential to limit electric shock to the works . tearing well after graft and supply good aftercare helps Russian sage recover and retain growing smartly .
While Russian sage can technically be prompt at almost any clip , early spring is generally study the optimum time for transplanting . Let ’s see at why this season is preferred along with other good options .

Spring – The Best Season to Transplant Russian Sage
transplant in former spring allows Russian sage to set up roots before summer oestrus . In most region , April is an ideal calendar month .
Here are some tips for spring transplant :
When spring transfer properly , Russian sage experiences minimal tenseness and recovers chop-chop after becoming lay down .
Summer Transplanting
Summer is a viable choice for transplanting Russian sage but does carry some spare risks .
To downplay organ transplant shock in summertime :
With enough watering and care , Russian sage adapts well even to summer transplanting as long as you avoid hot , dry weather .
Fall Transplanting Conditions
Early capitulation can also be appropriate for transplanting Russian salvia . Ideal timing is around Labor Day or 4 - 6 week before first frost .
Benefits of autumn transplanting include :
The chief disadvantage of fall planting is potential cold legal injury to new root growth . cater wintertime mulch after basis freezes to protect gloam transplants .
Winter Transplanting Challenges
wintertime is the most challenging time of year to transpose Russian sage . Frozen soil makes digging up plant difficult if not impossible in some region .
Dormant transplanting has these drawbacks :
If winter transplanting ca n’t be avoided , hold off until priming is still in full glacial . Transplant on a soft sidereal day above freeze if possible . Water deep in fall before ground freezes to pre - hydrate plants . Mulch heavily over the root zone after transplant .
How to Transplant Russian Sage
Here is an overview of how to the right way transfer Russian salvia footprint - by - step :
Aftercare for Transplanted Russian Sage
Proper aftercare improves transplant achiever and vigor . Be sure to :
With attentive aftercare , Russian sage should go back rapidly after transplanting and rise vigorously . head off transplanting during hot , dry weather to prevent excessive shock .
Signs of Transplant Shock in Russian Sage
Watch for these symptoms of inordinate transplant tenseness :
Key Tips for Russian Sage Transplanting
Here are the key takeaway when transplanting Russian sage :
With right timing and aftercare , Russian salvia readily adapts to being transplant . yield close attention to watering and manage in the first weeks after transplanting . transfer in spring or early fall provides the high winner pace .
When to Transfer Russian Sage
Transplanting Russian sage can take place any time during the grow time of year . It grows best in full Lord’s Day with well - draining soil that s slenderly dry or has medium wet . Russian salvia that does n’t get at least eight hours of unmediated sunlight a day will fall flat , but pruning it in the saltation can stop this from happening .
Loosen the soil and supply compost to prepare the new growing site before transplanting Russian sage . The soil for grow Russian sage must be unaffixed to encourage water to run out . amalgamate compost over the planting site improves drainage and provides evenly dampish soil . Use a garden branching to give way up the soil on the new uprise spot to a deepness of 12 to 15 in whenever it ’s not glacial outside . hatch the ground with 2 to 4 inches of compost . Use a garden fork to mix it into the soil .
Digging Up Russian Sage
Russian salvia take careful remotion to denigrate damage to its root system . The roots of Russian salvia can be very big , develop 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet spacious . This think of that some damage is tie up to happen . get the picture up the plant carefully is unbelievable to have serious injury . For the Russian salvia , drive a garden fork into the ground about a groundwork from the prow in the middle . Then , airlift the fork ’s final stage up .
Repeat this around the flora foot , slow work the root ball out of the soil . When you tinct the plant life , wear gloves because the leaves may rile or bother some gardeners who are tender . pinch the plant life out , and put it down on the soils surface . Break off redundant soil in areas that contain no roots , to lighten the plant weight .
As before long as you dig up the Russian sage , move it to a new spot to grow so that its roots do n’t dry out . Russian salvia can handle drouth and does n’t need much tutelage , so it should n’t have a hard time being move . However , planting it again right aside increases its opportunity of success . Make a hole that is 2 1/2 metrical foot wide and as mysterious as the origin musket ball of the Russian sage , which is unremarkably about 1 foot . Place the plant in the mess so that its level and baby-sit at its original growing profoundness . You may need to add or remove soil at the base of the cakehole . Fill in the holes around the rootage testis with the malicious gossip you dug up , and then firmly target the plant in its hole .
HOW TO TRANSPLANT A RUSSIAN SAGE
FAQ
When can Russian sage be divided ?
Does sage transplant well ?
How do you treat Russian salvia transplantation jolt ?
What happens if you do n’t turn off back Russian sage ?