About
Scabiosa lucida, the glossy scabious, is a dwarf herbaceous perennial to 30 cm with basal rosettes of glossy, silvery-green, finely divided leaves bearing lilac-mauve flowerheads 4 cm wide from late spring throughout summer until the first frosts. A rewarding and long-flowering scabious for a sunny, well-drained rock garden or border.
About the genus
Scabiosa, the pincushion flowers, are annuals, biennials and herbaceous or evergreen perennials with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and characteristic flowerheads with enlarged outer florets in blue, white, pink, yellow or purple. Popular plants for sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toC & S Europe
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun and well-drained soil
PruningNo pruning required, but can cut stems to ground level in late winter
PropagationPropagate by seed, by division, or by basal semi-ripe cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free