The scabious is a wild flower that is particularly found in meadows. But you can also plant scabious in the garden. Read how to do it here.
Scabious (Knautia macedonica), which is native to Europe, we encounter all too often at the edge of paths and forests. They bloom there in bright pink, red and purple colors and almost magically attract numerous insects. And although this extremely robust (frost-resistant), easy-care plant has now even been cultivated for gardening, it rarely gets enough attention in the perennial border. But today we would like to show you how easy it is to plant this beautiful flower in the garden.
Did you know:
In the vernacular, the scabious is also known as a sewing pillow, thunder flower or thunder flower. The reason for this is that it is said to have attracted the thunderstorms in the past, which is why it was not popular with people.
Plant Scabious
The scabious, which grows up to 1 meter tall, is often offered as an inexpensive potted plant in the garden market. There they are now even available as new breeds in the flower colors white, dark purple (almost black) and violet-blue. I like the red flowering Macedonian variant best. But you can also plant the offshoots of the wild plants in your garden bed.
» Tip:
From time to time scabious seeds (for sowing in spring) are also available in specialist shops. However, you can also collect and dry this yourself outdoors in autumn. The seeds should then be sown in the coming spring.
Preference is usually given to a dry, nutrient-rich location that is as sunny as possible for all varieties. In width, the plant reaches a diameter of approx. 50 - 70 cm, so that a planting distance of approx. 60 cm should be maintained.
The scabious comes into its own when planted in small groups of at least 3 - 4 plants in the perennial border.
Scabious - 2 popular varieties
❍ Field scabious (Knautia arvensis)
| Field scabious (Knautia arvensis) | |
|---|---|
| Flower color: | purple-blue |
| Flowering: | May - August |
| Growth: | 30 - 100 cm |
| Growth: | 40 - 50 cm |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry to fresh, well-drained, neutral to calcareous |
❍ Macedonian scabious (Knautia macedonica)
| Macedonian scabious (Knautia macedonica) | |
|---|---|
| Flower color: | dark red to light purple |
| Flowering: | June - September |
| Growth: | 60 - 100 cm |
| Growth: | 50 - 70 cm |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry to fresh, well-drained |
Care of Scabious
The scabious blooms as early as May (depending on the variety) and lasts until autumn. The meadow scabious in particular decorates a wildflower meadow particularly well. You can also put the beautiful flowers in a vase as cut flowers.
» watering & fertilizing:
On particularly hot summer days, you should also water the scabious in the morning or evening. In most cases, however, you can do without fertilizer. Only the new breeds sometimes require the administration of a complete fertilizer in spring.
» pruning:
As soon as the scabious have faded in autumn, you should cut them back generously. In winter, however, the flowers do not need any additional protection.
» Diseases/pests:
The scabious is actually not attacked by diseases or special pests. The opposite is more the case, because beautiful butterflies are attracted to this flower. Beneficial bees are also magically attracted to the scabious.