Overview

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is a clump forming perennial in the genus Salvia, part of the Lamiaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, mediterranean climate plants, wildlife gardens, low maintenance and flower borders and beds. It is native to Central Europe and Western Asia.

About

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is a herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae that produces numerous upright flowering stems bearing closely spaced whorls of small blooms and brightly coloured calyces. It belongs to the Salvia genus and is one of many cultivars derived from a species native to central Europe and Western Asia. The plant is easy to grow and to propagate and flowers from June to September. Many cultivars have been circulated by gardeners, which can complicate precise identification among hybrids.

About the genus

Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the sage family Lamiaceae, with just under 1,000 species of shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals. Within the Lamiaceae, Salvia is part of the tribe Mentheae within the subfamily Nepetoideae. One of several genera commonly referred to as sage, it includes two widely used herbs, Salvia officinalis and Salvia rosmarinus.

Wikipedia contributors, "Salvia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia

In the garden

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' comes from the Salvia nemorosa complex, a group of herbaceous perennials native to central Europe and Western Asia. Gardeners have long shared and hybridised these salvias, resulting in numerous named cultivars; many of these are widely grown in horticulture. The species produces multiple leafy stems at the start of summer and carries inflorescences made up of closely spaced whorls of small flowers with brightly coloured calyces. Plants in this group are noted for being easy to grow and to propagate, and many cultivars are hardy down to –18 °C, equivalent to H6 (very hardy). Expect flowering between June and September. Be aware that in northern Britain Salvia nemorosa and S. pratensis can suffer heavy damage from slugs, so monitor young shoots where slugs are a problem. Numerous cultivars are used in garden planting across the UK because of their long display of flowers and upright stems. The characteristic whorled inflorescences and noticeable calyces extend visual impact through the summer months, making the flowering period a reliable feature to plan around in perennial schemes.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Salvia

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H3

Plant details

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds

Native to

Central Europe, Western Asia

Fragrance

Mildly aromatic foliage

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'

Cultivation

Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogging.

Pruning

Cut back hard in early spring to encourage fresh growth and maintain compact shape.

Propagation

Division in spring, Semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Honey fungus, Powdery mildews, Verticillium wilt, Foot and root rots

Frequently asked questions

More in the Salvia genus

• 
  Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
• 
  Rosmarinus prostratus
• 
  Salvia 'Black and Blue'
• 
  Salvia 'Ostfriesland'
• 
  Salvia 'Rose Queen'
• 
  Salvia 'Royal Bumble'
• 
  Salvia bicolorSage
• 
  Salvia forskaohleiSage