Salvia Nemorosa Caradonna

Overview and Key Characteristics

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is a popular, hardy perennial grown for its tall, vivid violet-blue flower spikes and dark purple-black stems, which add architectural elegance and long-lasting colour to garden borders. Beloved by pollinators and gardeners alike, this variety of Salvia offers excellent performance, minimal care needs, and strong resistance to drought once established.

A key feature of 'Caradonna' is its upright, clump-forming habit and long flowering season, which can span from late spring to early autumn with regular deadheading. It’s a superb choice for sunny borders, wildlife gardens, Mediterranean-style plantings, and container displays.

• Height: 50–60 cm

• Spread: 30–40 cm

• Flowers: Rich violet-blue spikes with blackish stems

• Foliage: Narrow, textured grey-green leaves, aromatic when crushed

• Flowering period: May to September (longer with deadheading)

• Habit: Upright, tidy, bushy clump

• Type: Hardy herbaceous perennial

• Pollinator value: Very high – loved by bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

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Growing Conditions and Planting

Salvia 'Caradonna' thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is robust and adaptable, but will give its best performance when the following growing conditions are met.

Light and Exposure

• Prefers full sun (6+ hours of direct light per day)

• Can tolerate light shade but may produce fewer flowers

• Best planted in open, warm positions to enhance flowering and stem colour

Soil Preferences

• Requires well-drained soil

• Grows well in chalky, sandy, or loamy soils

• Avoid wet or poorly drained sites, especially in winter

• Thrives in moderate to poor fertility – too rich soil may reduce flowering

Planting Tips

• Plant in spring or early autumn

• Space plants 30–40 cm apart to allow for airflow and prevent mildew

• Add grit or sand to planting holes in heavy soils to improve drainage

• Water well after planting and mulch lightly to retain moisture

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Care, Maintenance, and Seasonal Tasks

Salvia 'Caradonna' is easy to maintain, needing just a few seasonal tasks to look its best.

Watering

• Water regularly until established

• Once mature, it is highly drought-tolerant

• In containers, water more frequently but ensure drainage is excellent

Feeding

• Feed in early spring with a balanced, general-purpose fertiliser

• Avoid overfeeding, which can lead to leggy growth and fewer blooms

Deadheading and Pruning

• Deadhead regularly to promote continuous flowering into autumn

• In late summer, shear back the entire plant by one-third to encourage fresh growth and reblooming

• In late autumn or early spring, cut back all dead stems to just above ground level

Dividing

• Divide every 3–4 years in early spring to rejuvenate and maintain a compact habit

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Design Use and Companion Plants

Salvia 'Caradonna' adds vertical interest and deep, dramatic colour to many planting schemes.

Best Uses

• Mixed perennial borders

• Wildlife gardens and pollinator beds

• Cottage gardens and Mediterranean-style borders

• Contemporary designs with grasses and gravel planting

• Large containers for patio or balcony interest

Companion Plants

• Looks stunning with Nepeta, Achillea, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Scabiosa, Verbena bonariensis, and Ornamental grasses

• Complements warm colours like gold, orange, and pink, as well as soft silvers and whites

• Pairs well with Lavender, Allium, and Geranium Rozanne for season-spanning combinations

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Hardiness, Pest Resistance, and Longevity

• Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H7 – down to -20°C)

• Lifespan: Long-lived with good care and division every few years

• Pest/Disease Resistance: Generally pest-free and resistant to deer and rabbits

• Occasionally may be affected by powdery mildew – improve airflow and avoid overhead watering

Standard Delivery per parcel*	€7.95
* parcels up to 30kg or within dimensions volume
* free delivery over €250 on standard items (excludes large/bulky items)
* multiple purchases qualify for combined delivery
For large items please ring us on 069-64084 to discuss delivery.

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

 

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