My Russian Sage plants are very thin and leggy. The plants that I've seen in other gardens are beautiful upright, tight clumps. Am I supposed to trim them after they start growing in the spring to maintain a nice form? I cut them back in the early spring before the new growth starts, but haven't ever trimmed during the growing season.

Thanks!

I have never tried cutting them back during the growing season. I take mine down to around 6 inches in the Fall. I would think a late Spring pruning would be ok.

I suspect that some varieties are more compact than others. Initially, I planted a couple of "dwarf" Russian Sage bushes, but although compact they grew a bit taller than expected, and then they seeded themselves and their offspring are all tall and floppy. I usually prune in early summer to remove any branches that are flopping onto paths or obstructing doorways, and then cut them back almost to the ground in spring.