Scabiosa farinosa

RHS Plant Profile
powdery scabious

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powdery scabious RHS
powdery scabious RHS

Synonyms

Sixalix farinosa

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

An evergreen herbaceous perennial up to 60cm high, woody at the base, with a rounded mound of scalloped, glossy dark green leaves, white beneath, and lavender-blue flowerheads, sometimes white or pink, in late spring and summer; the flowers are visited for nectar by bees and butterflies

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 or East–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)
H4
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
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
Correct
Plant Range
N. Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun, with protection from excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as it is ripe or in spring in containers in a cold frame, or by division in spring, or by basal softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required, but deadheading will prolong flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free