Scabiosa lucida
glossy scabious
A dwarf herbaceous perennial, up to 30cm high, with basal rosettes of glossy, silvery-green finely-divided leaves and bearing lilac-mauve flowerheads, 4cm wide, appearing from late spring and throughout summer until the first frosts
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Pink Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Scabiosa can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous or evergreen perennials, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and characteristic flower-heads with enlarged outer florets
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C & S Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun and well-drained soil
Propagation
Propagate by seed, by division, or by basal semi-ripe cuttings in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required, but can cut stems to ground level in late winter
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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