Scabiosa japonica var. alpina 'Ritz Blue'

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese scabious 'Ritz Blue'

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Synonyms

Scabiosa caucasica 'Ritz Blue'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A mound-forming biennial or short-lived perennial of semi-evegreen grey-green divided leaves, reaching 20cm. It has mauve-blue flowers for up to four months through the summer

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
East–facing or North–facing or 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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun, in any moist but free-draining soil, as long as it isn't too acidic.

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruning required. Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free