Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'

I ran across this plant in Holland, where it stood in lovely contrast to all the hot red and orange blooms of summer. Over here it is every bit as floriferous, with 18-inch bloomstalks that go right down to an inch or two from soil level! Stunning in containers, it is also an enticing landscape plant, 20 inches tall, 12 to 18 inches wide, and bursting with cool tones you'll love!

'Caradonna' is not only floriferous and attractive, it's one of the easiest plants to grow. Drawing butterflies and hummingbirds by the dozen, it tolerates just about any well-drained soil in full sun (in the north) to partial shade (farther south). Tolerant of cold, heat, humidity, and even drought, 'Caradonna' is a very valuable plant indeed in these water-conscious times.

Bred in Germany, 'Caradonna' may remind you of the classic East Friesland, but the deep purple stems and repeat blooms set it apart from and above its classic cousin. You will simply love it, even on those rare occasions when you catch it out of bloom! Combine it with gleaming white Shasta Daisy for some cool-toned color, or let it contrast brilliantly with the hot red and pink hues of Dianthus.

This Salvia is terrific in containers, accent plantings, the perennial or mixed border, and even in small settings such as the patio. It reaches 20 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, so space the plants about a foot apart for a solid mass of color. Zones 4-8.