Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’
Caradonna Meadow Sage
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Height
- 18 to 24 inches
- Width
- 18 to 24 inches
- Flower color
- Striking, vibrant purple-blue flowers
- Foliage color
- Green, with lance-shaped leaves forming a dense basal rosette
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Low
- Maintenance
- Low
- Growing zone
- USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- The tubular flowers attract pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies
About this plant
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is a compact herbaceous perennial renowned for its striking spikes of vibrant purple-blue flowers and lance-shaped green leaves forming a dense basal rosette. Blooming in late spring to early summer, its tubular flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, and deadheading spent flowers can encourage continuous blooming and maintain a neat appearance. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil, 'Caradonna' is relatively low-maintenance. Its long-lasting blooms and aromatic foliage make it a popular choice for borders, herb gardens, and containers, providing a vivid and enduring display in the garden.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hardy geraniums
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. It takes sun or light shade, which makes it useful along the changing light of a bed edge or a partly shaded border.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
