Salvia 'Caradonna'

I have found this Salvia to be extraordinarily tough and hardy. It's survived in my perennial field for at least 10 years with little or no care. We cut hard on it every spring for early blue purple flowers. Now available in pots for fall planting and again in the spring.

Information below is from the Missouri Botanical Garden

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'

Common Name: sage

Type: Herbaceous perennial

Family: Lamiaceae

Zone: 4 to 8

Garden Location: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Flower Borders, Kemper Low Maintenance Garden

Height: 1 to 2 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Bloom Time: June to September

Bloom Description: Blue-violet

Sun: Full sun

Water: Dry to medium

Maintenance: Low

Flowers: Showy Flowers

Leaves: Fragrant

Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies

Tolerates: Dry Soil, Drought, Air Pollution, Deer

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates drought. Prefers moist, gravelly or sandy soils with good drainage. Plants may repeat bloom throughout the summer, but need regular moisture to encourage this. Remove spent flower spikes to help extend the bloom period. Plants may become somewhat floppy and open up as the summer progresses, particularly in humid climates. If plants flop or otherwise depreciate in summer to the point where they look unsightly, consider cutting them back to the basal foliage. In any event, cut plants back after flowering has concluded.

Noteworthy Characteristics

‘Caradonna’ is an erect, clump-forming perennial salvia that is noted for its dark purple stems and blue-violet flowers. It typically forms a foliage mound to 12” tall. Medium green leaves are aromatic when crushed. In summer, dense terminal spikes of violet-blue flowers rise above the foliage to 24” tall. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to powdery mildew, leaf spot and rust. White fly and scale are occasional insect pests.

Garden Uses

Perennial borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens or wild gardens. Interesting accent.

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’

Perennial Sage

USDA Zone: 3-9

Plant number: 1.468.400

The Perennial Sages are invaluable perennials for their rich display of spiky flowers in the early summer border. This selection is medium to tall, with flowers of deep violet-blue held on unusually dark stems. Remove faded blooms to encourage repeat flowering. Excellent for cutting. Drought tolerant once established. Also tolerates heat and humidity. Plants may be easily divided in early spring or fall. Can be clipped back hard after blooming, to rejuvenate the foliage. Attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds. Winner of the 2000 Outstanding New Perennial Award by the International Hardy Plant Union.

Further details for
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’

Optimal Growing Conditions	Appearance and Characteristics
Sun Exposure   Full Sun Soil Type   Normal or   Sandy or   Clay Soil pH   Neutral or   Alkaline or   Acid Soil Moisture   Average or   Dry or   Moist Care Level   Easy	Flower Colour   Purple Blooming Time   Early Summer   Mid Summer Foliage Color   Grey Green Plant Uses & Characteristics   Accent: Good Texture/Form   Attracts Butterflies   Attracts Hummingbirds   Border   Containers   Cut Flower   Deer Resistant   Drought Tolerant   Rabbit Resistant   Massed Flower Head Size   Large Height    50-75 cm    20-29 inches Spread    45-60 cm    18-23 inches