Salvia 'May Night' vs Meadow sage 'Caradonna'
Two named forms of the same garden salvia, and the two most widely sold. 'May Night' is the shorter and flowers a little earlier, in deep indigo-violet; 'Caradonna' is taller, with near-black stems that are half its charm. Cut either back after flowering and it flowers again.
 Salvia 'May Night'Salvia nemorosa 'Mainacht' |  Meadow sage 'Caradonna'Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 24 in tall, 18 in wide | 24 in tall, 18 in wide |
| Plant | 18 in apart | 18 in apart |
| Zones | 4 to 8 | 4 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-drained, average fertility | Well-drained, average fertility |
| Flowers | Late May to mid July; purple | Late May to mid July; purple |
| Leaves | Medium, herbaceous | Medium, herbaceous |
| Job in a bed | Drift | Accent |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | Resistant | Resistant |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- On the record they are near twins: choose by the look you want.
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. Beside salvia 'May Night', meadow sage 'Caradonna' is in flower together for seven weeks, from late May. They share full sun and zones 4 to 8.
Read more: all about salvia 'May Night', and all about meadow sage 'Caradonna', each with a bed the planner designed around it.