Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, was named the 1995 Perennial Plant of the Year and for good reason. Native to Afghanistan and Tibet, this perennial is named for Russian general V.A. Perovsky and in the garden, Russian sage provides beauty and fragrance through its attractive foliage and flowers.

The foliage of Russian sage is a silvery, gray-green with coarsely toothed, opposite leaves. The plant reaches heights of 4-5' in the garden and is topped by 15" panicles of light blue flowers on square stems covered with white hairs. According to Allan Armitage, author of Herbaceous Perennial Plants, "The loose flowers and small foliage provide a feeling of lightness and airiness to the garden. The flowers ... are particularly stunning when combined with a white-flowered plant such as Boltonia." The flowers are very long lasting, up to 15 weeks from mid summer to fall, and are a good candidate for drying. Russian sage requires full sun and good drainage to perform well; it will not tolerate wet feet. It is hardy to Zone 5.

Several cultivars of Russian sage are available in the nursery trade. 'Blue Mist' is an early flowering type with lighter blue flowers than the species. 'Blue Spire' or 'Longin' has deep violet blue flowers and deeply cut foliage which has a more upright growth habit than the species. 'Filagran' has very finely cut foliage giving it a filigreed appearance with spikes of blue flowers produced in late summer.

Another unusual plant with gray-green foliage is Helianthemum nummularium, Sun Rose or Rock Rose. It is a herbaceous sub-shrub, meaning it has woody stems but dies back to the ground each year. The single, rose-like flowers bloom in pastel pinks and yellows, and can totally cover the plants in summer. Sun rose requires full sun and excellent soil drainage, making a beautiful addition to the rock garden. 'Wisley Pink' is one exceptional cultivar of this plant and is hardy to Zone 5.