Salvia x sylvestris 'Caradonna', caradonna sage
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Perennials

Salvia x sylvestris 'Caradonna'

caradonna sage

Lamiaceae

Garden hybrid origin; S. nemorosa parent from central/eastern Europe and western Asia; S. pratensis parent from western/central Europe

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (moderate)
Maintenancelow

Overview

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the family Lamiaceae, a superior cultivar of the hybrid Salvia x sylvestris (S. nemorosa x S. pratensis), selected and named in Germany. 'Caradonna' forms upright, well-branched clumps 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) tall bearing opposite, wrinkled, lance-shaped, strongly aromatic gray-green leaves 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) long on distinctively near-black to deep purple-black stems — the darkest stems of any commonly cultivated hardy salvia. From late May through July, the black stems are topped with dense, erect spikes 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) long of small, deep violet-blue, two-lipped flowers 0.5 inch (1.5 cm) long held in violet-purple calyces that persist attractively after the petals drop, extending the ornamental season. Cut back by one-half after the first bloom flush for a reliable second flush in late summer. Hardy to zone 4 with good drainage. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Salvia x sylvestris is of garden hybrid origin; parent species S. nemorosa is native to central and eastern Europe and western Asia (meadows, dry grasslands, roadsides), and S. pratensis is native to western and central Europe (dry limestone grasslands and meadows).

Suggested Uses

Planted in mixed perennial borders, formal gardens, and cutting gardens at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. The near-black stems are a striking design element — combine with silver-leaved plants (stachys, artemisia), pale yellow flowers (achillea), or white roses where the dark stems create dramatic contrast. One of the best hardy perennial salvias for the Pacific Northwest. Excellent cut flower; violet calyces persist well after drying.

How to Identify

Identified by upright clumps of wrinkled, lance-shaped, strongly aromatic gray-green leaves on distinctively near-black to deep purple-black stems — the darkest stems of any commonly cultivated hardy salvia and the key diagnostic feature. The dense erect spikes of deep violet-blue two-lipped flowers in persistent violet calyces, combined with the near-black stems, are unmistakable. More upright and darker-stemmed than other S. x sylvestris cultivars.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

violet
blue
purple

Foliage Colors

green
gray

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks
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SpringSummer
Blooms late May through July (primary flush, 5–7 weeks), with a reliable second flush in August–September after cutting back. Persistent violet calyces extend the ornamental period by 2–3 weeks beyond actual bloom. In the Pacific Northwest, the primary flush is typically mid-May through late June, with a second flush peaking in August. The dark stems remain ornamentally attractive throughout the growing season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

deep violet-blue two-lipped flowers in persistent violet-purple calyces; dense erect spikes 8–12 inches on near-black stems

Foliage Description

wrinkled, lance-shaped, gray-green, strongly aromatic; stems near-black to deep purple-black — the plant's defining characteristic

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 5-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandchalk
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to very light partial shade in average to lean, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Tolerates clay and average soils better than most salvias. Cut back by one-half to two-thirds immediately after the first bloom flush (typically late June to July) to stimulate a vigorous second flush and prevent sprawling. Divide every 3–4 years in early spring when the clump center becomes woody. No staking required; the dark stems are sturdy. Good winter drainage is important in zones 4–5.

Pruning

Cut back all stems by one-half to two-thirds immediately after the first bloom flush — the most critical maintenance task, stimulating a second flush in August–September. Cut to the ground in late fall or early spring. Alternatively, apply a Chelsea Chop (cut back by one-third in late May) to delay and stagger bloom. Divide every 3–4 years in early spring, replanting outer sections at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing.

Pruning Schedule

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summerearly spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic