Differences Between These Subshrubs

The main difference between Lavender Vs Russian Sage is the flower color. The flowers of Russian sage are primarily blue with a hint of purple, while the flowers of Lavender can be blue, purple, or even white.

The flowers of Russian sage are also more extensive than those of Lavender.

Lavender also has tubular flower clusters that have a prevalent scent. On the other hand, Russian sage flowers have different shapes and smell different.

Botanists call Russian sage Salvia yangii, which is a species of subshrub. This species is now part of the Salvia genus, but that wasn’t always the case.

This plant used to be called Perovskia atriplicifolia, which was thought of as a separate species.

Regarding Lavender vs. Russian sage, the former is the top performer in the ornamental garden.

Both Lavender and Russian sage have long clusters of lavender flowers, and Russian sage is often the first plant to bloom in the spring or summer.

In some gardens, the flowers of this aromatic woody perennial may last as long as 15 weeks! But the biggest question you’re likely to have is, which is better for your garden?

Russian Sage

In the culinary world, sage is a crucial ingredient for many dishes, and a great debate rages about which variety is better. While both species are widespread, Russian sage has a distinct flavor that may make it harder for a home cook to decide which to buy.

The Lavender and Russian sage share some traits and have varying degrees of inebriating ability, and you should know which ones to choose.

If you’re comparing the two, Russian sage has a slightly different appearance than its French counterpart. Instead of bright green leaves, Russian sage has gray foliage and lavender flowers.

This variety isn’t actually from Russia; it belongs to the Salvia genus. However, both varieties produce lavender-colored flowers that smell like culinary sage when crushed. In addition, both types are good pollinators and pair well with most soils.

English Lavender

There are several differences between English and Russian Lavender. The two species share the same essential characteristics but differ in handling colder weather.

English lavender grows in zones 5-8, whereas Russian sage thrives in zones 4-9 or even -10. Both are popular for their scent, but Russian sage doesn’t grow as high in the trees as Lavender.

So, how can you tell the difference between the two?

Lavender has many lookalikes, but the main difference between them is the fragrance. English lavender has an incredibly long scent, which many people find appealing.

Russian Lavender, on the other hand, is more delicate and mellow in flavor. This variety can be used for medicinal purposes as well as culinary purposes.

However, the two types have distinctly different personalities and appearances, so you’ll want to decide on your lavender type before you plant it.

Russian sage and lavender have different hardiness levels.

Russian sage is a tough plant that does well in USDA zones 5–9. You won’t have to cover it or do anything else to get it ready for winter.

On the other hand, Russian sage is a hardy plant, but not all lavenders are.

For example, French lavender can’t stand the cold, so it can’t be grown north of the USDA zone 7. The only way to fix this is to plant French lavender in a pot and bring it inside for the winter.

English lavender is as hardy as Russian sage, which is good news (5 to 8 hardiness zones). It can handle snow and cold weather well.

The only thing it doesn’t like is cold winds, so plant it somewhere that doesn’t get much wind.

In conclusion, I want to say that the English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a better choice.

Pruning Lavender Vs Russian Sage

While Lavender and Russian sage are perennial herbs that can be grown in gardens, the two are not the same.

Lavender has a more delicate scent, and the leaves of Russian sage are broader. Lavender blooms earlier and produces flowers that are more compact than those of Russian sage.

Pruning both plants properly is crucial to their health and appearance.

Both plants require good drainage and adequate sunlight. Although Lavender requires a high pH level, Russian sage does not. Both plants thrive in neutral or slightly acidic soil.

They will suffer if the soil is too acidic, leading to weak and stunted roots. Pruning both plants is the same, so the only difference is how to prune them.

To help them grow better, consider planting them in the same spot for best results.