I believe this is typical, especially if not grown in full sun. Some people, me included, cut them down to live nodes, about 8-12'' from ground in the spring. This helps, as does putting sturdier plants in front of them. There are newer varieties, like "Longin" which are a tad shorter and have stiffer stems. I'm not totally sure this is always true. good luck, Karen

Linda,
Try more sun first. I cut mine down in the spring like Karen does, too.
Sally

These are both in full sun, and I cut them down to about 6 inches this spring. I think I will replace them with something else. Don't like that "bad hair day" look!

LOL

Linda

Linda, I have three Russian Sage plants that like to sprawl in summer. I cut them in half in July and they came right back tall with flowers but are much more upright.

I've read that having lean soil(no pun intended)is supposed to help but haven't tried it myself. I just wanted to note that this is one of those plants that layer really well. Mine lean into the soil and the branches that touch the ground often root and grow new plants.