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Reaching up to 90cm tall, the strong, slender stems of Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Oxford Blue’ will sway gently on the garden breezes from June to October summoning the bees and butterflies in for a feast. A wonderful flower for both the garden and the vase – blooms are a favourite of florists for both the intensity of their colour, the delicate sweet fragrance and the unusual ‘pincushion’ shape of the flowers. Intriguingly, it is not just the flowers which resemble the pincushions referred to in their common name – the calyces, once petals are shed, also clump with bracts to form decorous, spiky balls for extended interest. Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Oxford Blue’ likes a spot in well-drained soil of any type except chalk. Plant in full sun and this hardy, herbaceous perennial will spread around 50cm for generous impact in borders, gravel gardens and containers.
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Key Information
| Latin Name | Scabiosa atropurpurea ‘Oxford Blue’ |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Scabious, Pincushion Flower |
| Hardiness | H4 (-5 to -10°C) |
| Colour | Blue |
| Format | Young Plants |
| Position | Full-Sun |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Height in Maturity (m) | 0.90 m |
| Spread in Maturity (m) | 0.50 |
| Soil Conditions | Clay Loam Sand |
| Soil Acidity | Alkaline Neutral |
| Aspect | South-facing |
| Scented | Yes |
| Good for pots | Yes |
| Good for Rockeries | Yes |
| Good for wildlife | Yes |
| Good for pollinators | Yes |
| Good for cutting | Yes |
