Scabiosa purpurea Ebony and Ivory (mixed)

RHS Plant Profile
sweet scabious [Ebony and Ivory]

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sweet scabious [Ebony and Ivory] RHS
sweet scabious [Ebony and Ivory] RHS
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Annual Biennial Herbaceous Perennial

A short-lived perennial usually grown as an annual from seed. A mixture of lightly-scented, pure white or very dark red verging on black pincushion-like flower heads are borne on upright stems to around 90cm tall in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well-drained, neutral or slightly alkaline soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering; if grown as a perennial, cut back to the ground after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free