Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'

Common name: Balkan clary

Description: Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' is widely regarded as one of the finest hardy salvias, producing tall, slender spikes of rich violet-blue flowers on strikingly dark purple-black stems from early summer, with a strong second flush in late summer if cut back after the first flowering. The contrast between the vivid flower colour and the near-black stems is unusually sophisticated, and the aromatic grey-green foliage adds further refinement. An exceptional plant for gravel and prairie-style gardens, it is also one of the best perennial border plants for pollinators. It holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Other benefits: dark ornamental stems, repeat-flowering if cut back, aromatic foliage, drought tolerant, RHS Award of Garden Merit, excellent for naturalistic planting schemes

Wildlife attraction: one of the finest garden plants for bees and bumblebees; also visited by butterflies throughout summer

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.6m x 0.4m

Position: full sun; well-drained borders, gravel gardens, and prairie-style plantings; tolerates poor, dry soils

Soil pH: neutral to slightly alkaline; well-drained to dry; sandy and chalky soils particularly suitable

Moisture: low; drought tolerant once established; excellent drainage important; performs best in lean soil

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to approximately -20°C