Scabious
Scabiosa atropurpurea
Scabious is a graceful, long-flowering annual or short-lived perennial with pincushion-like blooms in deep crimson, soft pink, lavender, and white on slender, wiry stems. It is a pollinator favourite and one of the best cut flowers for home arrangements, lasting 7–10 days in water. Sow indoors in February–March or directly in April–May in light, well-drained soil in full sun. Annual types grow to 60–90cm; perennial varieties are shorter at 45cm. Space 30cm apart. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering into October. Scabious self-seeds readily, so leave a few heads to ripen if you want a naturalised patch the following year.
Plan where to grow Scabious using our vegetable garden planner.
When to Sow Scabious
Sow scabious in February, March, April, May. It flowers from June to October.
Time to Flower Scabious
Expect flowers approximately 3 months after sowing.
Companion Plants for Scabious
Expected Yield
A 1m row supplies endless cut stems from June to October.
Pruning Scabious
Deadhead or cut the flowers regularly to keep the plants blooming into autumn. Stake tall annual types in exposed spots.
Common Problems with Scabious
Stems flop and look messy
Tall scabious benefits from the support of a twiggy pea stick or brushwood frame. Also avoid overwatering, which softens stems.
Flower heads wilt quickly in the vase
Harvest when the centre pincushion is just opening, not fully mature. Cut in the cool of morning and place immediately in deep water.
Leaves yellow and plants die in wet soil
Scabious needs excellent drainage. Improve soil with grit, grow in raised beds, or plant in containers for reliable success.
Scabious: common questions
When should I sow scabious in the UK?
Sow scabious from February to May. Sow under cover for an early start, or directly outside once the soil has warmed.
How far apart should I plant scabious?
Space scabious about 30cm apart. It grows to around 70cm tall.
How long does scabious take to germinate?
Scabious seeds usually germinate in 10–14 days, depending on temperature.
When does scabious flower?
Scabious usually flowers from June to October in the UK.
Does scabious come back every year?
No. Scabious is an annual: it grows, flowers and dies in one year, so sow it again each year. Some annuals self-seed if a few flowers are left to set seed.
When should I prune scabious?
Deadhead or cut the flowers regularly to keep the plants blooming into autumn. Stake tall annual types in exposed spots.
What grows well with scabious?
Good companions for scabious include Cosmos, Calendula and Ammi. See the companion plants section above for why each one helps.
Is scabious frost hardy?
Only partly. Scabious is half-hardy: it copes with cold but not frost, so plant it out after the last frost (usually mid to late May) and protect it if frost is forecast.
Plan your scabious in the allotment planner
Drag and drop plants onto your plot and get personalised sowing reminders.
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