Perovskia Vivid

Russian Sage Vivid

Physostegia virginiana ‘Vivid’ is a compact, upright herbaceous perennial with green foliage and dense spikes of bright lavender-pink to deep pink tubular flowers. It blooms from midsummer into early fall and is shorter than the straight species, usually reaching about 2 feet tall. Chicago Botanic Garden describes ‘Vivid’ as a 2-foot-tall obedient plant with lavender-pink flowers in vertical rows on flower spikes.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 18–24 in. wide × 18–30 in. tall
USDA Zones: 3a–9b
Form: Upright, clump-forming to spreading perennial
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil / Water: Average to moist, well-drained soil; moderate water; tolerates more moisture than Russian sage
Bloom Time / Length: Midsummer to early fall; often July–September
Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; generally deer resistant

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for perennial borders, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, rain-garden edges, native-style plantings, and cutting gardens. The pink flower spikes provide a strong vertical accent and pair well with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, bee balm, phlox, asters, ornamental grasses, sedges, and blue or purple salvias. Gardenia describes ‘Vivid’ as a compact, upright obedient plant with vibrant pink tubular flowers from mid- to late summer into fall.

Care:
Plant in sun to part shade with consistent moisture. Deadhead after bloom to reduce self-seeding and keep the plant tidy. Cut stems back after flowering or at the end of the season. This plant can spread by rhizomes, so divide or edge clumps as needed if it moves beyond its space.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

18-30"

Width

18-24"

Hardiness zones

3–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Fall, Mid Summer

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Average, Humus rich, Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Border, Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Spreading, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No