It's funny to me how nobody is answering this question. Is the answer obvious?--i.e., if you have a perennial and you deadhead during the time of flowering you always encourage more blooms?

One opinion. Sorry, I lost the link. ''But the big care concern with these plants is pruning, so let me break down the subject into the why, when, and how of pruning:

The "Why" Behind Pruning Russian Sage: Some gardeners choose to prune Russian sage annually. The argument for pruning is that the plant will grow to be bushier as a result of this care. At the very least, cut off any dead branches to keep this perennial tidy.

One reason why spring is the best time to prune (as opposed to trimming in fall) is that leaving the silver branches adds interest to the winter landscape.''

Here is another: Russian Sage Plants – How To Grow And Care For Russian Sage - ""While allowing the stems and seed pods to remain in the garden until spring creates winter interest, if you prefer a tidier appearance, you can cut the stems back to a foot above the ground.
Spring and summer care for Russian sage consists mainly of pruning. When new spring growth emerges, cut the old stems back to just above the lowest set of leaves. If the plant begins to spread open or sprawl in late spring or summer, shear off the top one-third of the stems to encourage upright growth. Remove the top half of the stems if the plant stops blooming in summer. This encourages new growth and a fresh flush of flowers."

"Remove the top half of the stems if the plant stops blooming in summer. This encourages new growth and a fresh flush of flowers."

-Yes. I got it now. Thank you!

It is late summer...the sage has flowered beautifully. I want to dry some of the flowers.

If I trim now will the flowers come back or not until next spring? Zone 5

I have two varieties of Russian sage and I cut both back pretty severely after they flower because they flop. I do see a few blooms afterward but never over the entire plant.

Then the rest of the summer I cut back one or two stems on each plant whenever I notice them getting floppy rather than cutting the whole plant at once. Just like petunias or impatiens- cut/pinch something every time you walk by and it will stay bushy and still keep a natural looking shape.