Pterocephalus perennis

RHS Plant Profile
Mount Parnassus scabious

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Mount Parnassus scabious RHS

Synonyms

Scabiosa parnassi
Scabiosa pterocephala
Pterocephalus parnassi

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial
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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or 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)
H4

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
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