Perovskia Compact Bluesette

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Perovskia

Species

atriplicifolia

Description

A perennial ornamental herbaceous plant with an upright habit, appreciated for its silvery-coloured foliage and for its continuous flowering from late spring to early autumn with a profusion of flowers borne in spiky inflorescences in violet-blue shades. Rustic, it tolerates drought and high summer temperatures while in winter it goes into vegetative rest.

Species Video

https://youtu.be/1AuLO_Cpt_U

Varietal description

Perovskia blusette is a strong, hardy perennial plant with moderate water requirements that performs well in the garden and as a landscape plant. This variety is more compact and branched than P. Blue spire with a lavender-blue flowering that lasts from early summer to early autumn without interruption. The cultivation of perovskia blusette is fast and flowering occurs in the first year of cultivation.

curiosity and special features

The generic term Perovskia derives from Vasily Perovsky, a Russian general and financial supporter of the imperial gardens of St Petersburg who first introduced it to Europe.

Origin and Diffusion

A plant native to the territories stretching from Afghanistan to western China; towards the end of the 19th century, the Russian general Vasily Perovsky introduced it to Europe, where it immediately aroused interest and was used to decorate gardens of private residences or parks. Today's cultivars continue to make this plant appreciated in landscapes all over the world.

Flower size

The flower individually is medium-sized, united in the characteristic inflorescence.

Leaf

The leaves have a lanceolate lamina and in some varieties are fragrant when rubbed.

Flowering period

It blooms from late spring to early autumn for a duration of 120 to 140 days, lending elegance and sophistication to your green spaces for a long period of the year.

Inflorescence

Compound spike inflorescence with a visual effect of high ornamental value.

Leaf color

Solid-coloured, in perfect colour contrast with the colour nuances of the inflorescences.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.35 to 0.6 m, suitable as a second tier plant within mixed compositions.

Lifespan

A deciduous perennial plant, it goes into vegetative rest during the winter period.

Suggested planting locations

It is the ideal choice among ornamental perennials to add elegance and colour to flowerbeds, borders, planters

Stem/stem

The stem, covered with a fine down, is semi-woody; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form with a gamopetalous corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in large compound spike inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 120 and 140 days. It has mauve notes and is fragrant, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Variety with medium to vigorous growth, perfect for achieving highly ornamental landscaping results.

Plant habit

Plant with an erect habit, visually reinforced by the large spike-like inflorescences.

branching

Abundant branching allows for a high density of foliage and flowers.

pH

For perovskia the ideal pH of the soil or substrate is slightly acidic, with optimum values between 5.8 and 6.2.

soil preparation

Before transplanting into the bed in late spring-early summer, carry out light digging, removing any weeds, residues from previous crops and bulky stones. Continue by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser, which will provide the necessary nutrients for the seedling's initial development after planting, and break up the coarser clods for greater softness. To improve drainage of excess water, create a raised bed by slightly bouldering the soil, then add professional substrate for flowering plants to the surface by approx. 5/10 cm and carefully level out. For use in pots or planters, we recommend aerating the substrate by inserting wood fibre or coconut fibre.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

sun exposure

Suitable for full sun exposures in order to achieve excellent vegetative growth and abundant flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 20 and 24 °C. The biological temperature is between 10 and 40 °C; it tolerates torrid, dry summers well, ensuring a conspicuous flowering, a characteristic that also gives it added value in relation to current climatic scenarios.

Use

Due to its rusticity and the landscaping effect provided by its lush blooms, it is appreciated as a plant in:
Outdoor ornamental Landscaping

Hardiness

A variety of medium hardiness, it tolerates hot and dry climates as well as low winter temperatures, best protected with mulch in areas with harsh winters.

Soil/medium

It prefers light, sandy, loosely loosened soil; for use in planters, a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite is recommended.

Maintenance

Cultivation of Siberian sage is easy, with a low level of management effort you will achieve excellent ornamental results.

cultivation tips

Here are some cultivation tips specific to this variety of Perovskia:

In low light the plants do not flower Expose the plant to maximum light Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Composition

Perfect both for creating homogeneous monochrome groups and in compositions with other ornamentals such as Catharanthus roseus, Rudbeckia hirta, Tagetes patula x erecta.

planting

For planting in flowerbeds we recommend an average density of 15 plants per square metre to ensure proper development of each specimen, thus obtaining a proportionate and compact final composition that best expresses the aesthetic value of the plant. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the root balls, which must be moist but free of water stagnation; finally, water after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

pruning

At temperatures below -10°C the herbaceous parts of the plant dry out and must be removed by pruning during the winter.

Reproduction/Propagation

Multiplication can be by seed or, more commonly, by semi-woody cuttings.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively water from the aqueduct, either by hand or with an irrigation system, taking care to keep the soil or substrate slightly moist, allowing it to dry out between irrigation, but preventing excessive drying out. As Siberian sage's root system is sensitive to waterlogging, it is advisable to avoid excessive watering by using light, well-draining soils/substrates; furthermore, do not water the aerial part of the plant during the late afternoon or evening to avoid the development of phytopathologies and thus damaging the flowering.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilization

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out a background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, following proper settling in the new planting site, apply a specific fertiliser for ornamental plants to the soil or substrate, distributing it in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency or dosage.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Edibility for humans

Species ornamental, not edible.

Human toxicity

Ingestion toxicity not known; avoid ingestion.

advise 1

Perovskia Blusette or Siberian Sage from seed, tolerates temperatures well below 0°C, down to -10°C. During the vegetative rest period, it is useful to provide a layer of mulch to spread on the soil surface to protect the plant. Below -8°C the herbaceous parts of the plant dry out and are removed by drastic pruning during the winter. It is a plant to be placed in full sun positions because it is very hardy and strong, but be careful not to water it too much or place it in poorly drained or badly tilled soil because its roots are sensitive to moisture stagnation. It is one of the few perennials with a long, long-lasting flowering period that starts if it is warm as early as late spring and colours flower beds throughout the summer.