Scabiosa (Scabiosa caucasica)
The scabiosa belongs to the teasel family and is an absolute must for lovers of blue flowers. Gracefully and lightly, the beautiful, full blooms rest on slender stems, reminiscent of little fairies in floral dress dancing through the flowerbed. Their beautiful, natural effect is particularly effective in sunny, open border compositions with other summer perennials and ornamental grasses. Good companion plants include roses, asters, sage, yarrow, and tall grasses. This long-flowering, luxuriantly flowering bedding perennial not only looks great in the home garden but also makes a wonderful cut flower.

Growth form
Scabiosa is an upright, clump-forming, perennial, and herbaceous plant. This clump-forming perennial reaches a height of 60–90 cm. It has opposite, lanceolate, undivided to pinnate stem leaves.
blossom
The flowering period extends from June to September. The dark purple flowers are borne on long-stemmed, forked inflorescences. The flower heads are very large, 8 cm wide, bowl-shaped, and flat-spreading, with a lighter inner bloom. The color palette offers all shades from blue to white as an additional color.
Location requirements
Scabiosa prefers nutrient-rich, humus-rich, dry to moist, calcareous, and permeable soil in full sun. Approximately 6–8 plants per square meter are needed. This bedding perennial should be planted in spring.
Care
The soil should not dry out in summer, but it also doesn't tolerate excessive moisture. Winter protection is recommended during severe frost. Propagation occurs either by sowing in February, division in April, or by cuttings in May.
Cutting out wilted leaves encourages the perennial to rebloom.
Recommended varieties
'Nachtfalter' Reaches a height of 70 cm and has dark, deep blue-violet flowers.
'Perfecta Alba' Has large, pure white flowers with a cream-colored center.
'Clive Greaves' Reaches a height of 80 cm with sky blue flowers.
TEXT: Swantje Holtmann