Re: Shade garden help/ Russian sage

Not Paul, Donna, but will stick in my oar here.  

It's likely a tad more humid where you are than where I am, but only
a tad and I don't think it can get a lot hotter than where I am:-)  
I have grown the sages I mentioned for many years.  The key is to
give them *very* sharp drainage - as in a sand bed or a raised bed of
your normal  soil amended a good quantity of sharp sand and small
gravel or chicken grit  - would not just add sand if your soil is
clay; you need to add grit/gravel as well.  Be prepared to take
cuttings frequently to replace the parent plants when they decide to
give up the ghost.

Would also suggest putting them in as windy a spot as you've got as
good air circulation helps, even when it's gettin'out of the shower
humid....like don't plant them where they will be really crowded by
other plants - give them some air.

Russian sage does not seem prone to the rots like the Salvias - never
have had any type of problem with it - you just need to give it a dry
sort of spot that drains very well in as much sun as you can muster
and be patient - takes it a few years to get going; then hold on to
your hat.

I'd say go for it, Donna...you will never know until you try them.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: Donna Davis <dsdavis@intop.net>
> 
> Paul
> does that mean that to try and grow the Salvia and Russian Sage in
my 
> area is wasted effort, because our weather is very hot and humid, 
> sometimes it's hard to breath it's so humid
> Donna   in NE Mississippi   zone 7

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