Salvia Nemorosa ‘Caradonna’

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, commonly known as Balkan Clary, is a compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial valued for its striking dark stems, aromatic foliage and vibrant violet-blue flowers. It is an excellent choice for flower borders, cottage gardens, gravel gardens, containers and wildlife-friendly planting.

The plant forms a neat clump of aromatic grey-green foliage, with distinctive purple-black upright stems rising above the leaves. From early summer through to autumn, these stems carry slender spikes of rich violet-blue flowers, creating a strong vertical display.

Growing to around 60cm in height, ‘Caradonna’ is particularly effective towards the front or middle of a sunny border, where its dark stems provide a beautiful contrast with lighter-coloured perennials and ornamental grasses.

Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant and benefits from being cut back after flowering to encourage fresh growth and further blooms.

The nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, making ‘Caradonna’ an excellent addition to a wildlife-friendly garden. It has also received the RHS Award of Garden Merit.