Scabiosa stellata
starflower scabious
Solitary, pale blue, spherical flower heads on branching stems are followed by translucent, silvery heads that pale into creamy-white globes popular in dried ‘everlasting’ displays. After flowering, each individual ‘cupcake’ base is exquisitely centred by a chocolate star that radiates fine lines throughout the papery bracts.
Scabiosa stellata is a terrifically rewarding and easy to grow annual for the cut flower garden and winter vase.
Scabiosa stellata is a terrifically rewarding and easy to grow annual for the cut flower garden and winter vase.
How to care for Scabiosa stellata:
Plant in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, adding grit if the ground is clay-ey or water retentive. Water regularly until the roots are established, then only during dry spells as it prefers drier conditions.
Deadhead through summer to keep it flowering, but leave a few spent blooms at the end of the season if you want the decorative seed heads to develop. Support may be helpful in windy sites.
Deadhead through summer to keep it flowering, but leave a few spent blooms at the end of the season if you want the decorative seed heads to develop. Support may be helpful in windy sites.
Sowing instructions:
Sow indoors onto moist, well-drained seed compost for 2 to 3 weeks at 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C). When large enough to handle transplant the seedlings into individual pots and harden off gradually, planting out after the danger of frost has passed with a 30cm (12in) spacing.
Eventual height:
0.5m
Eventual spread:
0.5m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness:
Frost tender
approx 100 seeds
£2.99
available to order from spring
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