Scabiouses in Cambridge
Scabiosa spp.
A reliable half-hardy cottage-garden flower for UK borders and cutting. Sow under cover in spring or plant out young plants after the risk of frost, then keep them deadheaded for a long flowering season.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Scabious
Planting Calendar
Sow Seeds Indoors
26 Feb – 22 MarSow seeds into modules from 26th February to 22nd March, covering them with a light seed sowing depth of . Keep the compost just moist and place the tray somewhere bright and cool for steady germination.
Prick Out Seedlings
24 Mar – 7 AprWhen seedlings are large enough to handle, move them on from 24th March to 7th April into small pots. Handle them by the leaves, not the stems, and keep them growing on in good light.
Harden Off
29 Mar – 12 AprAcclimatise the young plants from 29th March to 12th April by putting them outside for longer each day. This stops check when they go into the border and prepares them for cooler UK nights.
Transplant Outdoors
26 Apr – 10 MayPlant out from 26th April to 10th May once frosts have passed and the soil has warmed a little. Space plants apart, water them in thoroughly straight away, and protect them from slugs and strong winds while they settle.
Deadheading & Maintenance
2 Jun – 28 OctStart deadheading from 2nd June and keep going until 28th October. Remove fading flowers regularly so the plant puts its energy into more blooms instead of setting seed, and keep the soil evenly moist in dry spells.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Scabious.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Scabious to consider
Fama Deep Blue
Compact plants with rich blue flowers, useful for smaller borders and containers.
Pink Mist
Soft pink blooms on sturdy stems, good for a loose cottage-garden effect.
Black Knight
Dark maroon flowers with a long blooming period and good stems for cutting.
Related Plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.