Salvia nemorosa Caradonna

The_Lazy_Gardener

Hi does anyone have this plant? How long does it flower for? 

Thanks

Fred

Fairygirl

Hi Fred - it's normally quite long flowering - most of the summer here, and maybe a bit longer. It will depend on your local climate and the growing conditions though.
Have you got one that's giving you a problem?

The_Lazy_Gardener

Hello, thanks  for your reply. No was thinking about get some though. I live just outside London. 

Fairygirl

It's a bit tougher than some of the others, which is the reason I got it. Great for bees etc too 

1634 Racine

I think you might see some contrasting opinions on caradonna.  Mine was all flowered out in a few weeks and there has been a lot of discussion.before about its lack of ability to reflower if cut back.  I do love it for the inky black stems but it’s struggling to hold its place in the garden at the moment.

note: mine is growing on heavy clay but with tonnes of grit dug into the planting area

The_Lazy_Gardener

Ok, thanks. Not sure whether to get one now. I havent got the biggest garden and if it doesn't flower long enough its taken up and thrown over the hedge.  

chicky

Mine are like Racine’s ......really good when they flower (late May to late June) but they don’t re-flower for me.  I’m in Surrey.

punkdoc

I don't dead head mine, as i think the dead flowers still look great.

Fairygirl

I never cut them back either @punkdoc. 

Topbird

Mine flower and look great for several weeks May to beginning of July when they are smothered in bees. If they are dead headed back to a lower bud they will reflower - but not that well - and the stems and leaves quickly become quite tired and scruffy looking. The clumps also have a tendency to splay unless they are supported by other plants.

This year I cut a couple of clumps right back to the ground after the first flush when the clumps started to become untidy (mid July). In the last 4 weeks they have regrown and are now throwing up lots of new flowering stems. The new growth is more compact than the early summer growth but I suspect the plants will be flowering well into September.

This is how I will treat all the clumps next year.

I garden on clay in E Anglia.

AnniD

Personally,  l find "Mainacht "a better plant, but it's "horse for courses" l suppose.