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Salvia nemorosa Caradonna - Woodland Sage

Salvia nemorosa Caradonna
Woodland Sage, Balkan Clary

4,4/5
69 reviews
13 reviews
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4 reviews

Good recovery, average growth in one year but still with flowers, let's see next year.

julie, 16/10/2024

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This perennial sage blooms early and for a long time in the summer, in the form of tall brown-purple stalks bearing small flowers of intense violet, grouped in long spikes on a clump of aromatic foliage. Easy to grow in open ground as well as in flowerpots.
Flower size
12 cm
Height at maturity
50 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November
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Flowering time May to June, August to September
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Description

The Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is a small, sturdy perennial sage that is also distinguished by its early flowering. It will continue to bloom until autumn if the faded flower spikes are removed with shears. From May onwards, its upright spikes of dark purple are carried by almost black, dark brown stems, giving it a remarkable intensity. Not demanding and tolerant of drought, the 'Caradonna' sage brings life to sunny borders and flowering pots for almost 6 months.

The Salvia nemorosa is a perennial of the lamiaceae or labiate family. It is a species native to central Europe and western Asia. 'Caradonna' is one of its many cultivars, and undoubtedly one of the best. It will reach a mature height of no more than 50, possibly 55 cm when in flower, with foliage reaching 40 cm (16in), and a width of 40 cm (16in). This perennial develops from a prostrate rosette of oval, rough, wavy, very dark green leaves with toothed edges, aromatic when crushed. It has a bushy, compact, highly branched and sturdy habit. Flowering begins in May and continues until August, depending on the climate it may slow down during the peak of summer due to cooler soil, and then picks up again in late summer if it has been pruned after the first wave of flowers. From the tuft of foliage, thin terminal clusters of very dark-colored flowers emerge, each with many small flowers (0.5 to 1 cm (1in)) of intense purple, with dark purple bracts. The beautiful nectar-rich flower spikes delight butterflies and bees. The base of the stems is often reddish.

The Caradonna sage is an excellent choice for ornamental terraces and balconies, as well as a preferred guest in low-maintenance borders. Easy to grow throughout Europe, it is also one of the hardiest sages, and as such, a fantastic garden perennial that will not disappoint. It withstands everything, even wind, cold, heat, and poor soils. It will look stunning alongside pink-flowered roses like 'The Fairy' or 'Sourire d'Orchidée', or red ones for a strong contrast (Knockout rose). It pairs perfectly with gray foliage of artemisias in dry soil, or purple foliage like that of Physocarpus opulifolius 'Lady in Red', in moister soil. It also complements light pink-flowered plants such as the hastate verbena 'Rosea', which will dominate it in height, the shrubby lavatera 'Barnsley', or the Penstemon 'Evelyn'. It is also perfect for creating borders and beds with Perovskia, light grasses (Stipa tenuissima or barbata), Lychnis coronaria, annual poppies, or shrubby potentillas with yellow, pink, or orange flowers..

With over 900 species of annuals, perennials, and woody shrubs, spread across the globe, except in very cold regions and the tropical forest, the Salvia genus is the most diverse in the lamiaceae family. The name Salvia, dating back to Roman times, derives from the Latin word salvus, meaning "healthy," alluding to the medicinal properties of the common sage.

 

Salvia nemorosa Caradonna - Woodland Sage in pictures

Salvia nemorosa Caradonna - Woodland Sage (Flowering) Flowering
Salvia nemorosa Caradonna - Woodland Sage (Foliage) Foliage
Salvia nemorosa Caradonna - Woodland Sage (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour violet
Flowering time May to June, August to September
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 12 cm
Fragrance slightly scented
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased
Foliage description aromatic foliage when crushed

Plant habit

Height at maturity 50 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Salvia

Species

nemorosa

Cultivar

Caradonna

Family

Lamiaceae

Other common names

Woodland Sage, Balkan Clary

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference711092

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Planting and care

The Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is planted from October to March, outside the freezing period, with a spacing of 40 cm (16in) in a well-drained soil, even rocky, in full sun or partial shade. This plant tolerates and even appreciates limestone and tolerates some drought. It does not appreciate heavy and waterlogged soils in winter, which can harm its hardiness. In winter, apply a light compost of manure or other organic matter. Cut it back to 20 cm (8in) at the end of winter before the start of vegetation. Beware of gastropods that can attack young shoots. In humid regions, use a mineral mulch (gravel, pumice, pebbles) with a thickness of 4 to 6 cm (2in) to drain the collar of the plant. Under these conditions, it can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C (1°F). To preserve the vitality of the sage, it is good to divide the plant after 3 years. Plant the new plants in well-worked soil: to improve soil that is a little too poor, mix in some horticultural compost.

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 7 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Clayey (heavy), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, rocky, well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Remove the regular withered stalks to promote and stimulate the emergence of new stalks. Cut back the clump in winter, before the start of vegetation.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March to April, July to August
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,4/5

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