Should I Prune the Dead Wood Away?

[GardenGeisha]

So you think it is truly dead wood and not just slow to leaf out?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, if you cut into it you will see that it is dead.

 

[so lucky]

And regarding the Russian Sage: I don't think you could kill one of those if you whack it off at the base and stomp on it. One of its endearing qualities, in my book.

 

[catjac1975]

So you think it is truly dead wood and not just slow to leaf out?

Even if it is slow to leaf out , plants do better with pruning,. It stimulated growth and improves the fullness in the look of the plant.

 

[bobm]

And regarding the Russian Sage: I don't think you could kill one of those if you whack it off at the base and stomp on it. One of its endearing qualities, in my book.

Yea, but let them get covered in snow for a day and the temperature drop to 17* overnight and they are dead as a door nail.

 

[Hal]

I would trim the "dead "wood away. It will help with new growth.... and look healthier

I second this. I'd suggest tidying it up.

 

[GardenGeisha]

Okey-Doke. It has leafed out quite a bit more since I took the picture. Interesting how it's so much slower than the other one. The other one had a branch nearly torn off, but I have staked it up.

I've had good luck with Russian sages, too. We had a whole lot of snow that lasted all winter with temps down to 0 F for about 2 weeks, and all 3 survived. I did lose a baby one several years ago, but I think the soil it was in was bad. These big ones are still going strong. One has a peony growing out the middle of it, the other is under a huge Gertrude Jekyll rose, and the best one is by itself in full sun, and it is getting huge.