Since not all varieties of steppe sage are equally hardy, you should clarify this question when purchasing. Either your specialist dealer or gardener knows the answer or the plant should have an informative label.
Is steppe sage hardy and how do you protect it in winter?
The steppe sage is often hardy down to -25 °C, but not all varieties tolerate frost equally. Protect hardy varieties in winter with a thin layer of brushwood, leaves or straw. Varieties that are not hardy should overwinter in a cold house or greenhouse.
Winter-hardy varieties of steppe sage can tolerate frosty temperatures down to -25 °C, at least for a certain time. In a fairly mild area, you generally don't need protection from nighttime frost. Too much moisture can cause much more damage to steppe sage. Varieties that are not hardy should best be overwintered in a cold house or under similar conditions.
How do you winterize steppe sage?
If you have already pruned your hardy steppe sage in autumn, then protect the plant from severe frost as a precaution. To do this, cover it with a thin layer of brushwood, dry leaves or straw.
As soon as it gets a little warmer again, this protective layer should be removed immediately so that the plant does not suffer from fungal attack due to persistent moisture. It is easier to prune the steppe sage in spring, then it is protected from the rigors of winter by its own foliage.
How do you care for steppe sage in winter?
Hardy plants in the garden bed freeze to death less often than they die of thirst. To prevent this danger, water your steppe sage a little every now and then during the frost-free period. Too much moisture can be just as damaging as too little, as this can easily result in fungal infestation or the plant rotting. However, complicated care is not required.
It is best to plant non-hardy steppe sage in pots or planters. Place them in a cold house, an unheated winter garden or a greenhouse over the winter so that they can overwinter there frost-free. Avoid fertilizing during this time and limit watering a little.
The most important winter tips for steppe sage:
- often hardy down to – 25 °C
- not all varieties are hardy
- overwinter non-hardy variety indoors or in a greenhouse
- do not fertilize and water little in winter
- protect from standing moisture
Tip
If you plant non-hardy varieties of steppe sage straight away in planters or pots, then you won't have to dig up these perennials in the fall and put them in pots to overwinter.
