Scabiosa columbaria 'MARIPOSA BLUE'

Small scabious is a smaller version of this common perennial, naturally found in Central-European 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 incised (like those on Japanese maples). Both the types are deciduous to semi-evergreen and mid green.

Mariposa Blue is a compact and free-flowering variety of scabious with large, pastel lavender violet flowerheads with domed, pincushion-like central florets and larger marginal florets. They appear in profusion atop about 20 cm tall stems and the plant is a true flower factory as it starts blooming from late spring and continues until early autumn. Deadheading is recommended for continuous flowering. Flowers are frequently visited by bees, bumble bees and butterflies which helped the breeder come up with a variety name because mariposa means butterfly in Spanish. 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 31-03-2024