— Plant your Perovskia (or Russian Sage) outside during spring or autumn. Select an area with moderately fertile soil, in full sun.

— Set plants about 30cm apart, or individually in large containers.

— If growing in a pot, use a well-drained soil mix of equal parts loam and soil-less compost.

— Water-in after planting and, regularly throughout the first year in position.

— In late March cut back the plant to about four buds from the soil. Then apply a balanced fertiliser, followed by a mulch 5-7cm deep, of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.

— Read further general instructions about planting bare-root perennials