This is my 1st post. I would love to trade you some ornamental grass for your what you are offering. How might we ship the grass?

Interesting to read linnea's evaluation of Salvia nemorosa cultivars. I also have used those cultivars extensively, but don't agree as to which is the best, or at least which has been (performed) best for me. I have found May Night big and bushy. If it is true that May Night has the longest bloom time, that doesn't increase it's appeal to me. I want a mixed perennial bed to change colour (and overall height) through the growing season. There's a lot of different perennials to perform and some are more spectacular (I'd say) than Salvia nemorosa. I do agree about Caradonna's bloom and height. So far, I find it a bit narrow for it's height, but on the other hand, it then doesn't take up so much lateral space in (fits better into) a bed of closely spaced mixed perennials. As previously said, Caradonna seems to survive with a fair bit of shading. Personally I prefer the colour of Marcus and East Friesland, but I'm sure it's all a matter of personal taste (and perception - latter re documented variability in the perception of purple and blue).

Any lavender will hold its own, as far as standing up. I would recommend asclepias tuberosa for attracting butterflies and not flopping. Mine only gets about 18" tall. My salvia flopped, too, but it's one of my earliest big nectar providers. I'm wondering if just letting stronger stuff fill in around it will hold up the salvia. Martha

Sorry I don't have another blue-violet to recommend. I grew 'Blenheim Royal' and quite liked it. Even in severe drought it grew properly, except flowers were smaller.. When Schreiners first had it on their site they called the color Bishop's Purple. Then they changed to to Blue. So misleading to newbies. I recommend Blue J's site. They not only have color sections to search but also list awards won. A nice feature to narrow choices. You have to click on the A-Z catalog to get the page with color categories. The pictures of 'blues' seem to be the hardest to be true but their descriptions are good. Love your color-combo plan. Here is a link that might be useful: Blue J Iris