Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
Woodland sage
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Supplied as an established plant in a 3 litre pot
Aspect
Full sun
Hardiness
Fully hardy
Flowers
Late spring to summer
Soil
Loam, sand, chalk
About this plant
Violet spikes and dark stems; a border classic
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Description
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial producing slender, distinctly upright spikes of violet-blue flowers on dark, near-black stems that give the plant an unusual elegance not found in other nemorosa cultivars. It flowers freely from late spring into early summer, and cutting back the spent stems promptly reliably produces a strong second flush later in the season. A superb pollinator plant, it is particularly attractive to bees and butterflies, and its upright, architectural habit makes it one of the most versatile and widely used salvias in contemporary border design. -
Why we like it
Specs & details
The particulars
- Botanical name
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
- Common name
- Woodland sage
- Supplied as
- 3 litre pot
- Flower colour
- Purple
- Eventual height
- 45–60 cm
- Eventual spread
- 30–45 cm
- Flowering period
- Late spring to summer
- Habit
- Upright clump-forming perennial
- Life cycle
- Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Aspect
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, sand, chalk
- Moisture
- Well-drained
- Position
- Front of border, mid-border, gravel garden
- Plant spacing
- 5–6 plants per m²
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
Plant calendar
When to plant, when it performs
Planting & care
Help it thrive
Planting guide
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' thrives in a well-drained to dry soil in full sun and is an excellent choice for gravel gardens, raised beds, and free-draining borders. It does not perform well in heavy, wet, or poorly drained soils, particularly over winter, where it may rot at the crown. On heavier soils, incorporate plenty of grit before planting to improve drainage. Set plants at the same depth as in their pot, spacing around 40–45 cm apart. It establishes readily and needs little additional watering once settled. It is also well suited to containers filled with a free-draining loam-based compost mixed with extra grit.
Care tips
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is straightforward to maintain. After the first main flush, cut all the spent flowering stems back to the basal foliage; this is the most important task of the season, as it triggers the second flush of growth and flowers. Repeat after the second flush if time and season allow. In late autumn or early spring, cut the whole plant back to the basal rosette. No regular feeding is needed on average soils; on very poor soils, a light application of balanced fertiliser in spring will help. Divide congested clumps every three to four years in spring to maintain vigour.
Winter care
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is fully hardy and requires no winter protection anywhere in the UK. Cut back the spent flowering stems after each flush during the season. In late autumn, cut the whole plant back to the low basal rosette of leaves, which often remains semi-evergreen through winter. Alternatively, leave the stems standing until early spring, as they provide some modest structure and wildlife value over winter before being cut back as new basal growth appears.