Russian sage vs lavender, today’s competitors, have a lot in common, yet they’re still extremely different plants. Like most of you, most people prefer to select the best plant from the selection so that they do not have to replace it later. If you make the wrong decision, you will squander time and money.
The hue of the blossoms is the key distinction between Russian sage and Lavender. Lavender flowers can be blue, purple, or even white, but Russian sage blossoms are blue with subtle purple color. The inflorescences of Russian sage are significantly larger than those of Lavender.
Lavender also bears tubular inflorescences that have a very popular aroma. The panicle-shaped inflorescences of Russian sage, on the other hand, have a distinct smell.
Table of Contents
What is the Russian Sage Plant?
Salvia yangii is the botanical name for Russian sage, which is a subshrub. This plant is now classified as a part of the Salvia genus, but this was not always the case. This plant was previously known as Perovskia atriplicifolia and was considered a distinct genius.
Salvia yangii is primarily found in Asia (China, Pakistan). In Eastern Europe, it is less common.
Russian Sage is a 3- to 4-foot-tall perennial shrub that blooms in the summer, about the same time as Lavender, and attracts a lot of bees and insects. It has aromatic, gray-green leaves with a delicate texture, making it drought tolerant.
It’s perfect for a cottage garden, and it looks great with other white and yellow flowers like Rudbeckia and white daisies.
Russian Sage Identification
Russian sage is a beautiful shrub with elongate gray-green leaves and square, silvery-gray stems that generates an airy cloud of color in late summer.
The tubular flowers are purple-blue and grouped in whorls along long stems. On long spikes, Russian sage produces small blue blooms.
What is Lavender Plant?
Lavender is a popular garden plant with far larger varieties than Russian Sage. There are a variety of lavender species linked with various geographical places, including French, English, and Spanish lavender. Since the Roman era, lavender plants have been farmed commercially for their essential oils.
Lavender, like Russian Sage, is a drought-tolerant plant that thrives in areas where the summers are hot and dry, and the winters are mild. The plant loves a sunny site with rich, well-drained soil, although it will grow in a variety of soil conditions.
Lavenders dislike damp feet; thus, heavy clay-based soils should be avoided, and the soil pH should be neutral.
The plant’s foliage might become sparse as it matures into a woody form. Lavenders don’t always respond well to a harsh prune at this stage, so rejuvenating the plant can be tough. Cutting a plant’s young shoots below the ground can cause the entire branch to die.
Lavender Plant Identification
From the beginning until the end of the summer, look for purple blossoms.
Lavender’s blossoms, which are made up of numerous lights to deep purple petals, ascend into the air like a spike. Some types have blooms that open up, while others look like pine cones.
Russian Sage Vs Lavender: Compared
Below is a detailed comparison table showing the differences between the Russian sage and lavender plants.
| Russian Sage | Lavender | |
| Common name | Russian Sage | Mauve, lilac, Plum, violet |
| Botanical name | Salvia yangii | Lavandula angustifolia |
| Plant type | Perennial plant | Perennial plant |
| Family | Lamiaceae | Lamiaceae |
| Plant origin | Southwestern and Central Asia | From Europe to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to India. |
| Mature Size | 0.5–1.2 m tall | 2-3 ft. tall |
| Soil type | Medium to dry, well-drained | Well-drained, slightly alkaline soil |
| Sun exposure | Full sun. | Full sun. |
| Toxicity | Russian sage is not considered poisonous | Generally non-toxic |
| Cold Hardiness | It is cold hardy | Some species are cold hardy while others aren’t |
Differences Between Russian Sage and Lavender
Flower size and shape
Inflorescences grow on the primary stem of Russian sage. Thin flower petioles branch off from this stem. Flower stems are typically 4 inches long (10 cm).
Many miniature flowers, up to one inch in diameter, are connected to the flower petioles. The outcome is panicles that are 13 inches (32 cm) long and covered in small flowers.
Flower Color
The second visible distinction between the two herbs is the color of the blooms.
The blossoms of Russian sage are blue with a purple tinge. Light and dark blue variations are also available.
Lavender, on the other hand, comes in a much wider range of colors. The blooms of most species and cultivars of the genus Lavandula have a distinct blue tint that has earned them the label “lavender color.”
Colors and hues of lavender include blue, purple, violet, pink, white, and even mild yellow.
Blooming time
Russian sage flowers from mid-summer to late September or early October in ideal conditions. Flowering time may be shortened in colder areas.
While Lavender flowers earlier than Russian sage, French lavender blooms in the late spring and early summer.
Lavender lasts a little longer than Russian sage in terms of blooming time.
The leaves of Russian sage can be up to 2 inches (5 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) broad. Petioles, which are quite little, connect them to the stem.
The leaf is dissected to a high degree and makes an intriguing pattern. The leaves are mostly green; however, they can sometimes be grayish-green.
Lavender leaves are more aromatic and juicier than Russian sage leaves when crushed. Russian sage leaves are fragrant as well, but not as strongly as lavender.
Lavender is treasured for its leaves, which contain a large amount of essential oil. The leaves are utilized in perfumes, medicine, and other fields after being dried or extracted with oil.
On the other hand, Lavender leaves are more decorative and functional than Russian sage leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big does Lavender get?
Lavender plants can grow to be one to three feet tall and wide.
What is Russian Sage used for?
It’s used in herbal medicine to calm the stomach, reduce fevers, and relieve the symptoms of a cold or flu. Before using Russian sage for therapeutic purposes, consult your doctor.
Can Russian Sage survive the winter?
Russian sage can easily withstand the moderate winter temperature with adequate fall care and modest protection against the winter chill. The plant’s silvery stems and upright structure, which grow to heights of 3 to 5 feet at maturity, offer appeal to the home landscape even in the winter.
How often should I water my Russian Sage?
Water newly planted Russian sage plants once a week until the soil is saturated to a depth of about one inch. Watering is only necessary when the plants have been established, which usually takes about a year in their new position.
How often should I water my Lavender?
Plants should be watered once or twice a week until they are established. Once buds form, water mature plants every two to three weeks until harvest, then once or twice weekly until harvest.
Can I grow my lavender indoors?
It is feasible to grow lavender indoors with the appropriate light and care. Lavender should be cultivated outside in most cases. Even in the harshest climates, where lavender isn’t hardy, it’s best to maintain lavender growing indoors as a fallback option, something you do throughout the winter when plants can’t be outside.
Does lavender like humidity?
While the plants require around 15 inches of rain each year to thrive, the farm receives roughly 39 inches in a typical year. Lavender can’t withstand a lot of moisture in the soil or the air; therefore, humidity is a concern.
Can you plant Russian Sage and Lavender together?
Yes, they complement each other. Both herbs reach a height of four feet and a width of three feet.
This fast-growing perennial prefers moist, well-drained soil. It thrives in late April when the temperature is warm but not oppressive.
You guarantee a long-lasting bloom; make sure to give it lots of water. If you’re going to divide the plants, make sure to cut the older leaves and subshrubs back to make them smaller.
Conclusion
They’re fantastic buddies when it comes to cultivating herbs. Both plants are tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but they are incompatible with others.
Choosing species that grow well together is the key to selecting the correct plant for your garden.
If you can’t find lavender, you can use Russian sage, which grows in the same conditions. On tall panicles, these blooms bloom.
