How much of a root system on a piece do you need in order to do a transplant?
DIVIDING METHODOLOGY
I think I had some in teh hot sun and that is why they did not take off too well, from ones that "layered out"...

A stem cutting is your best bet You can try a transplant ,why not that's what it's about trial and error Like any other plant enough root to become established.

It's actually pretty hard to divide Russian Sage successfully because of the woody base. It's better to take cuttings from shoots that emerge from the base of the plants in spring or early summer, or to just dig up the small offshoots that appear on the outside of established clumps. I like the idea of layering because you just place a rock on the stem touching the ground & it grows roots without much fuss.

It makes sense that the bigger the root system, the better the survival rate. However, if the root system happens to be small, the plants should do OK if they have plenty of soil attached to the roots. Be sure to "water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. After the plants are established they can tolerate drought very well." (1) Make sure they have good drainage or their roots will rot. "Russian sage... is more like an annual or biennial. Plants usually die within two years, but might reappear from seedlings or root suckers." (2)

Here's a site about what other's are saying about propagating Russian Sage:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/propa/msg071801341418.html?5

BTW, "Russian sage is neither Russian nor sage." It's a native of Afghanistan & is POISONOUS. (3)

Sorry your plants didn't take off.
I bet it's because of the extraordinarily hot summer we've had, which has been really hard on most new plants.