Succisa pratensis
devil's bit scabious
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- Standard £5.95
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: June to October
- Hardiness: fully hardy
A native of moist meadows and woodland edges, this is a wonderful plant for naturalised planting schemes. In midsummer, slender upright stems are topped with rounded clusters of mauve or deep purple flowerheads. These are produced freely over a long period, making it great value for money, and the bees and butterflies will flock to it. It will be happiest in a moist soil that does not dry out in summer, and it will self-seed freely, but pink or white flowered plants may result.
Keep well-watered during the summer and resist the urge to cut off the spent flowers if you'd like it to set seed.