Perovskia X Filigran

Russian sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Filigran’ is a woody-based herbaceous perennial with aromatic, finely dissected, silvery-gray foliage and stiff upright stems carrying airy lavender-blue flower spikes. It blooms from midsummer into early fall and is valued for its lacy foliage texture, drought tolerance, pollinator value, and strong performance in hot, sunny sites. Missouri Botanical Garden describes ‘Filigran’ as growing 2–3 ft. tall, sometimes to 4 ft., with finely dissected, lacy silver foliage and light-blue flowers in branched terminal panicles. Botanically, this plant may now be listed as Salvia ‘Filigran’ or Salvia yangii ‘Filigran’, though it is still commonly sold as Perovskia.

Type: Woody-based herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 24–48 in. wide × 24–48 in. tall
USDA Zones: 4a–9b
Form: Upright, airy clump with finely cut foliage
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Average to lean, sharply well-drained soil; low water once established; drought tolerant
Bloom Time / Length: Midsummer to early fall; often July–September
Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; deer and rabbit resistant

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for sunny borders, xeriscapes, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, dry slopes, rock gardens, and mass plantings. The very fine, cutleaf foliage gives a softer, more delicate texture than many Russian sage forms, while the lavender-blue flowers create a hazy blue effect above the silver foliage. It pairs well with ornamental grasses, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, yarrow, sedum, catmint, salvia, coreopsis, and other sun-loving perennials. Plant Delights notes that ‘Filigran’ was introduced by German breeder Ernst Pagels and has upright growth with deeply divided silvery-green foliage.

Care:
Plant in full sun with excellent drainage. Avoid rich, wet, or heavy soil, which can cause flopping or winter loss. Cut back hard in early spring once new growth begins, usually to about 6–12 inches above the ground. Avoid heavy fertilizer; leaner soil helps keep plants compact, upright, and sturdy.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

24-48"

Width

24-48"

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Fall, Early Summer, Late Spring, Late Summer, Summer

Flower color

Lavender

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies

Soil

Average, Well Drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Border, Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

Yes