Knautia macedonica 'Thunder and Lightning' (v)

Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming perennial to 40cm tall, with slender, branching stems and striking cream-margined, pale green leaves. In mid- and late summer it bears purple-red, pincushion-like flowers to 3cm across; these are good for attracting pollinating insects

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: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous, Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Knautia can be annuals or perennials, and may have simple or pinnately lobed leaves and scabious-like flower-heads
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably alkaline soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame in spring or propagate by basal softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back spent flower stems in early winter

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews