Heirloom Scabiosa
Dark Night
(Scabiosa atropurpurea)
A cottage garden favorite, Dark Night's buds resemble jeweled Victorian brooches that unfurl into densely petaled, frilled, "pincushion" shaped flowers. Planted in sunny borders, the blossoms attract a myriad of pollinators throughout the summer, especially Monarch, Fritillary and Skipper butterflies. With their deep, rich color and intricate form, Dark Night is a wonderful color accent in bouquets. Flowers also air dry easily for everlasting arrangements.
HARDY ANNUAL
Spring/summer bloom
Can handle light frost
FOR BEST RESULTS
Sow seeds 1 to 2 inches apart in a container of seed starting mix, 2 or 3 weeks before last expected frost. Cover 1/4 inch deep, keep moist and provide a good light source until seedlings are ready to transplant. Plant out strong, sturdy seedlings into fertile garden soil, spacing 12-15 inches apart in full sun.
TO START SEEDS OUTDOORS
Sow seeds in a well-drained, prepared garden bed in full sun as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Space seeds 8 to 10 inches apart in rows a foot apart and cover 1/4 inch deep. Keep seed bed moist until seedlings emerge in 12 to 15 days. Weed carefully and keep well watered. Thin sturdy seedlings to 12-15 inches apart.
GROWING NOTES
Plant in early spring to get sturdy plants that will flower throughout the summer and fall. Curving wiry stems are part of this plant's character; support them for best flowering displays.
Cut often for bouquets and to produce more blossoms. In mild winter areas, they are a short-lived perennial and will overwinter to bloom a second season.
Plant In |
Sun/Shade |
Planting Depth |
Space Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb – April
Mild Climates: Fall |
Full sun
|
1/4 inch
|
8 – 10 inches
|
12 – 15 days
|
3 – 4 feet
|
Plant In |
Sun/Shade |
Planting Depth |
Space Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Mature Height |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb – April
Mild Climates: Fall |
Full sun
|
1/4 inch
|
8 – 10 inches
|
12 – 15 days
|
3 – 4 feet
|
Plant In
Feb – April
Mild Climates: Fall |
Sun/Shade
Full sun
|
Planting Depth
1/4 inch
|
Space Seeds
8 – 10 inches
|
Days To Germinate
12 – 15 days
|
Mature Height
3 – 4 feet
|