About
Knautia arvensis, the field scabious, is a clump-forming, deep-rooted, softly bristly perennial to 1.5 m with simple or pinnately lobed, hairy, green leaves and lilac-blue, pincushion-like flowerheads to 4 cm across in summer and autumn. A beautiful and long-flowering wildflower for a sunny, well-drained meadow or informal border.
About the genus
Knautia are annuals and perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and pincushion-like, scabious-type flowerheads in shades of blue, lilac, pink or red in summer and autumn. Valuable wildflower garden plants for sunny, well-drained borders and meadows.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow
Native toEurope, Temperate Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun. Attractive to bees
PruningOld flower stems can be cut down after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed in pots in a cold frame in spring or propagate by basal cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free