Product Description
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Jean Baby' PP29281 (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: Russian Sage
Need a shorter, manageable Russian Sage that is still vigorous in the landscape and production? Try ‘Blue Jean Baby’! Lavender blue flowers held in smoky purple calyxes bloom for a long period starting in midsummer, with the color from the calyxes extending appeal into fall. This variety is one of the earliest Perovskia to bloom. This bushy selection joins the lineup of Perovskia from the Walters Gardens hybridizing and, like the others this program has introduced, resists lodging. ‘Blue Jean Baby’ is a vigorous selection which replaces PEEK-A-BLUE® in our catalog.
A perfect perennial for hot, dry climates and also exceptionally cold hardy. Perovskia can be used in a wide variety of environments with little attention through the season - a reason they have long been a staple of landscapers. Expect these plants to be a little later to emerge in spring, but also to offer color well into fall.
The ideal plant for hot, dry climates! Russian Sage is classified as a subshrub or woody perennial. It performs very well in full sun and any well-drained soil. Average to dry moisture levels are ideal, and few pests bother this plant. If pruning is necessary, do so in Spring when new growth appears. Prune back to just above the lowest bud.
Perovskia a. 'Blue Jean Baby', commonly known as Russian Sage, is a compact perennial with beautiful lavender-blue flowers that bloom for weeks from mid-summer to fall. This plant is a shorter variety of Russian Sage, reaching a height of 28-34 inches with a spread of 36 inches. It is an excellent choice for gardeners who want to enjoy the beauty of Russian Sage without it taking over their garden. One of the earliest Russian Sages to bloom, 'Blue Jean Baby' offers an extended season of interest with its smoky purple calyxes that hold their color well into the fall.
'Blue Jean Baby' is an herbaceous perennial that forms a dense mound of fragrant, silver foliage and produces multiple spikes of lavender-blue flowers. The flowers are held in smoky purple calyxes, which extend the season of interest past its peak blooming time. The foliage is a soft gray-green and has a fine texture. This plant is also deer and rabbit resistant.
'Blue Jean Baby' is a vigorous selection that originates from Central Asia and Tibet. It attracts pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds with its long blooming season. This makes it a great addition to any garden that aims to support local wildlife. It is also salt tolerant, making it a suitable choice for coastal gardens. This cultivar is patented under number PP29,281.
- Botanical Name: Perovskia atriplicifolia
- Common Name: Russian Sage
- Height: 28-34 inches
- Spread: 36 inches
- Flower Color: Lavender-blue
- Foliage Color: Gray-green
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Patent: PP29,281
Care Requirements 'Blue Jean Baby' is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It prefers average soils, but the soil has to be medium-moist, medium-dry to dry. It is adaptable to many soil types, including clay, but good drainage is essential. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, reduce watering frequency, as it tolerates moderate drought.
In early spring, fertilize and prune the plant to within several inches above the ground. This will promote dense growth and heavy bloom. It is also best to cut back the plant to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. If you choose to apply mulch, gravel is a better choice than organic mulch because it allows better moisture evaporation.
Growth Habits 'Blue Jean Baby' grows at a fast rate and can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. It is an herbaceous perennial, which means it will usually die back to the crown each winter and regrow from the base each spring. It is important to be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen.
This plant has an upright spreading habit of growth. It will grow to be about 20 inches tall at maturity, extending to 28 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 30 inches apart. Full sun is recommended for this plant; part sun conditions will cause it to become leggier and flop over. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner-city environments. When fully established, 'Blue Jean Baby' resembles a low woody shrub in the landscape, adding visual interest with its airy texture.
This compact variety is a notable improvement from other Russian Sage varieties, which tend to be larger and take over the garden. This makes 'Blue Jean Baby' an excellent choice for gardeners with limited space or those who prefer a more controlled growth habit.
Uses in Landscaping and Gardening 'Blue Jean Baby' is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of landscaping and gardening applications. It is an excellent choice for mass plantings, general garden use, and naturalizing and woodland gardens. It can also be used as a ground cover for open areas or as a specimen plant. The flowers are excellent for cutting, making it a lovely addition to bouquets and floral arrangements.
In garden beds, it can be used to create a backdrop for other traditional garden flowers. It can also be planted as a hedge or small shrub in its own right. When paired with grasses, it can give the garden a wilder, more naturalistic look. Some excellent companion plants for 'Blue Jean Baby' include Coreopsis, Rudbeckia, orange or yellow cultivars of Echinacea purpurea, orange or yellow cultivars of Achillea (yarrow), and Solidago. It can also be planted with yellow flowering daylilies (Hemerocallis) or daisies (Leucanthemum maximum).
Due to its compact size, 'Blue Jean Baby' is also suitable for container planting. When planting in containers, select a weather-resistant pot at least 2 feet in diameter with excellent drainage. When planted in ideal growing conditions, Russian sage can self-sow.
With its long blooming season and adaptability to various garden settings, 'Blue Jean Baby' is a truly versatile plant. It can be used in mass plantings to create a sea of blue, as a border plant to define garden edges, or as an accent plant to add a touch of color and texture to any landscape.
Perovskia a. 'Blue Jean Baby' is a beautiful and versatile plant that is a great choice for any gardener. It is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and heat-tolerant, making it an ideal choice for a variety of gardens. With its long blooming season and attractive foliage, 'Blue Jean Baby' is sure to add beauty and interest to any landscape.
This plant offers a unique combination of beauty, hardiness, and low maintenance, making it a valuable addition to any garden. Its compact size, long blooming season, and versatility make it a standout choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Whether you are looking to add a touch of color to your garden, attract pollinators, or simply enjoy a low-maintenance plant, 'Blue Jean Baby' is an excellent option.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
