My career in horticulture began in the mid-1990s when the trends in gardening were vastly different from what they are today. Just like fashion and music styles, certain plants that were popular back then have made a comeback in a new and improved form. One such plant that has regained popularity is Russian sage, specifically the cultivar ‘Blue Jean Baby’.
As a landscape architecture student, I studied the designs of Oehme, van Sweden, which often featured Russian sage due to its silvery and airy appearance. However, over time, gardeners started to move away from this plant because of its tendency to flop as it aged. But with the introduction of ‘Blue Jean Baby’, Russian sage has made a stylish comeback.
I first encountered ‘Blue Jean Baby’ last summer at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden in Seal Harbor, Maine. Planted at the front of a mixed border, this new cultivar caught my eye with its dense Salvia-like appearance. Upon closer inspection, I was pleasantly surprised by its lavender-blue flowers and dense, gray foliage. It was a show-stopper, reminiscent of an Elton John hit song, “Hold me closer, tiny dancer”.
According to the Chicago Botanic Garden’s 2020 trial of Russian sage, ‘Blue Jean Baby’ was rated as a five-star performer. They noted that this cultivar was consistently uniform in size and shape, a trait not always seen in other varieties. Unlike the straight species that can grow over 4½ feet tall and nearly 5 feet wide before flopping over, ‘Blue Jean Baby’ maintains a more compact and appealing size.
For gardeners in colder climates, it is recommended to plant ‘Blue Jean Baby’ in the spring to ensure full establishment and hardiness. This plant blooms from midsummer until fall and can be cut back in spring if needed. Like other Russian sages, it is not bothered by rabbits or other critters, making it a low-maintenance and attractive addition to any garden.
If you had previously given up on growing Russian sage due to its flopping tendencies, it’s time to bring this forgotten landscape plant back into style. Break out your crop tops and jorts, crank up some Elton John tunes, and plant ‘Blue Jean Baby’ in your garden for a touch of nostalgia and modern elegance.
In conclusion, trends in gardening, just like in fashion and music, tend to come full circle. What was popular in the ’90s is now making a fashionable comeback, and Russian sage is no exception. With the improved form of ‘Blue Jean Baby’, gardeners can enjoy the beauty of this perennial without worrying about its flopping habit. So embrace the revival of this classic plant, and add a touch of nostalgia and elegance to your garden with ‘Blue Jean Baby’ Russian sage.
