The Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is a deciduous semi-woody subshrub with upright, grayish white stems and lobed, silvery gray leaves. The older stems are woody at the base, and younger stems are herbaceous and square in cross section. The stems and leaves give off a pungent odor when crushed or bruised.
In late summer and autumn Russian sage produces 12 in. spires of small, tubular lavender flowers. Flowering persists for two or three months. Russian sage grows in a clump. Place in full sun.