Knautia arvensis 'Melton's Pastels'

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Macedonian scabious Melton pastels

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Synonyms

Knautia arvensis 'Melton's Pastels'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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Seed-raised, clump-forming perennials to 90cm tall, with lance-shaped, dark green basal leaves, finely divided stem leaves, and pincushion-like flower heads in a range of colours from deep red to mauve, pink and salmon, produced from early summer to autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–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)
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
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a 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
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Spent flower stems can be cut down after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews