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Sage Caradonna is one of the varieties of oak sage. The culture is used in folk medicine and landscape design. This winter-hardy perennial is grown in all corners of the country. It is also popular in the West.
Description of sage Caradonna
Caradonna has a pleasant appearance. The culture is a low shrub covered with long inflorescences and bright light green leaves. In many ways, the plant is similar to meadow sage, which has become widespread in central Russia.
Caradonna's upper and lower leaves have different structures. The former have no petioles, the plates grow tightly on the stem, and the foliage itself is very small. The lower ones are more massive, have a matte surface, and waves run along the edges of the sheet.
The length of the inflorescences varies from 15 cm to 45 cm. Flowering occurs in two waves. Begins in late spring - early summer. The average duration is about 60 days. At this moment, Sage Caradonna attracts the eye with its delicate inflorescences, reminiscent of a bright cloud.
Closer to July, the inflorescences lose their decorative appearance - the flower is preparing to pause
The gardener can prune the remaining specimens or leave them. Wanting to catch the second wave of flowering, many cut Caradonna in half. The second flowering is not as lush as the first, but still very beautiful and long. It lasts until mid-autumn, when most garden plants are preparing for hibernation.
In summer, Salvia oakberry Caradonna exudes a aroma that attracts butterflies. This is another similarity between lavender and sage. To improve its decorative effect, Caradonna is planted in the light - it is a sun-loving plant.
When it comes to acidity, Caradonna sage prefers limestone substrates. With a moderate amount of fertilizing, flowering in the middle zone and Moscow region will occur in two waves. The crop is drought-resistant, but it needs to be watered.
Height of Salvia Caradonna
Mature plants can reach 85 cm in height. Average height is 75-80 cm.
Winter hardiness of sage Caradonna
The culture is resistant to the Russian climate, so it is grown both in the Moscow region and in Siberia. Basically, it does not require shelter. Abroad, sage Caradonna is cultivated in China. The plant can be found in Europe and the USA.
Advantages and disadvantages
Sage Caradonna is a universal perennial that has proven itself to be an unpretentious and frost-resistant crop. The inflorescences are very beautiful. They are widely used in landscape design.
Salvia is used both in group and single plantings
Pros:
- drought resistance;
- nice smell;
- two flowering phases;
- compactness;
- can be grown in any region.
Minuses:
- the second wave of flowering is less decorative.
Features of cultivation
Planting is carried out in the first half of spring. Usually they are planted with seeds - before work, the material is soaked in potassium permanganate. Stratification is also carried out: the raw material is rolled up into a wet fabric parcel, 3-4 drops of stimulant are added and placed in a warm place for 10-12 hours.
For early flowering, the seeds can be germinated a little. First, they are sown in a container with a nutrient substrate, watered and wait for the shoots to appear. Suitable soil is sold in stores. If you don’t want to go, prepare the soil yourself - just mix river sand with garden soil and peat.
The seating location should be sunny. The influence of drafts is eliminated in advance so that the plant is as comfortable as possible. At high acidity, ash or dolomite flour is added to the soil. A month before planting, the site is fertilized and the soil is dug up.
Before work begins, the area is loosened and small (up to 3 cm) holes are dug. Sage Caradonna is moved so as not to damage the roots. The soil is watered with settled water. At this point, the landing can be considered complete.
The plant does not require much care, but you need to keep an eye on it. This is especially true for beginners. With regular observation, the owner will know how a healthy Salvia Caradonna behaves.
If you deviate from your usual behavior, pay attention to the frequency of watering, the presence of pests, and diseases.
Since sage Caradonna easily tolerates hot summers, it does not need to be moistened often. Water so that the soil on the surface does not harden. The liquid must be warm and clean. It is best to moisturize in the evening.
When growing Caradonna sage in the garden, you need to remember the importance of weeding.The plant will be more comfortable if there is a lot of free space next to it, not populated by weeds. In this case, the flowering will be brighter.
Fertilizers are used rarely - about once a year. This is done in the spring, when sage Caradonna is just “waking up”. The soil is fertilized with nitrogen, which accelerates the growth of green mass and roots. Fertilizers can be either dry or liquid.
After flowering ends, prune, otherwise the sage Caradonna will be weak and unlikely to bloom again. The plant is not prepared for wintering. The exception is the northern regions, where the crop is covered with spruce branches.
Diseases and pests
As you can see in the photo, Salvia Caradonna flowers can be damaged by pests. Among them, the greatest threat is the spider mite. Its appearance is indicated by the presence of a cobweb. Thrips are also dangerous for sage.
To cope with pests, nightshade infusions are used. In addition to traditional methods, there are chemical agents that are even more effective. Insecticides are sold at many garden centers.
Special formulations can be ordered online
Another threat that awaits the plant in spring, summer and autumn is disease. The most common is mold. It appears after prolonged rains or frequent wetting. To protect, Caradonna sage is sprayed with a sulfur solution.
Reproduction
In addition to seeds, sage Caradonna can be propagated in three ways - using cuttings, layering and division.
- Cuttings are collected from plants older than one year. Cut pieces of 10-12 cm and place them in water. After half a month, roots will appear on the lower cut. When this happens, the cutting is moved into a container. Sage Caradonna is covered with a plastic bottle, which is periodically removed for ventilation. After adaptation - as evidenced by the appearance of the first leaves - the plant is moved to a permanent place or a larger pot is chosen.
- For propagation by layering, strong shoots are selected, bent to the ground and buried, leaving the leaves on the surface. To ensure that the soil holds the branches, it is moistened. You can use special staples. After 2-3 months, the cuttings will sprout their own roots and can be separated from the parent to be transplanted to a new site.
- Growing Caradonna sage by division is suitable for gardeners in the southern zone. The bush is half dug out of the ground, roots with buds are found and separated with a shovel. In this case, the old plant should retain a significant part of the roots. The divisions are moved into pre-prepared holes and cared for.
Sage Caradonna in landscape design
The culture is used in the landscape, usually as a background for conifers. Sage Caradonna is also planted in flower beds, and also used to decorate country buildings - verandas, sheds, sheds - with the help of plantings.
Sage is grown next to irises and roses, with which it has a good relationship
Neighboring plantings should not obscure the crop
Conclusion
Sage Caradonna is a perennial plant that has spread throughout Russia.Despite its love for the sun, it survives winters well and does not require shelter. Reviews from summer residents confirm that sage requires almost no care.
