Scabiosa columbaria 'MISTY BUTTERFLIES'

Small scabious is a smaller version of this common perennial, naturally found in our countryside. It makes small leaves of two types: the basal leaves are pinnatifid (they look like those on dandelions), and stem leaves, as if they did not belong there, are extremely narrow and deeply cut (like those on Japanese maples). Both the types are deciduous and mid green.

Misty Butterflies is a small scabious variety with pale lavender blue or light violet flowerheads with domed, pincushion-like central florets and larger marginal florets. They appear on 10-20 cm tall, slender, well-branched stems from early summer until early autumn. Deadheading is recommended for continuous flowering. Leaves form a dense mound which looks great in a rockery or among dwarf plants such as witches brooms.

Scabious is a sun-loving perennial which will grow in free-draining, moderately fertile soil of neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It hates winter wet. Divide plants older 3-4 years. Hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 30-06-2014