Scabiosa lucida

RHS Plant Profile
glossy scabious

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Herbaceous Perennial
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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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