Succisa pratensis 'Derby Purple'
devil's bit scabious 'Derby Purple'
A clump-forming, spreading perennial to 60cm tall, with a basal rosette of slender, egg-shaped, green leaves, the branched stems bearing solitary bright purple-blue, pincushion-like flowerheads 2cm across, in summer and autumn
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Blue | Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple Blue | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Succisa are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with simple, obovate leaves and long-stalked, solitary pale violet, pincushion-like flowerheads in late summer and autumn
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows in any moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, ideal for naturally peaty soil that is moist during spring and summer
Propagation
Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings (basal)
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required, tidy after flowering is finished if seed is not required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.