Pterocephalus perennis
Mount Parnassus scabious
P. perennis is an evergreen, mat-forming perennial with hairy, grey-green leaves with scalloped edges. In summer, produces pale pinky-purple, scabious-like flowers on upright stems, followed by papery seed heads
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Pterocephalus may be annuals, perennials or evergreen shrubs with simple or deeply-lobed leaves and scabious-like, pink or mauve flowers followed by attractive, papery seedheads
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Greece
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in a sunny position
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by stem-tip cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Rock garden
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
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.