2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Scabiosa inflorescences are like a bridal bouquet. The reed flowers form a "substrate" for the bouquet, and a large central disc of small flowers is the bouquet itself. The plant easily tolerates both cold and heat, and also does not require much effort to care for, giving long-lasting bright flowering
Scabiosa genus
Among hundreds of plant species united by botanists into a genus
Scabious (Scabiosa), in nature there are perennial shrubs and one or biennial herbaceous plants. The number of cultivated plants is 5 times less than those growing in the open space. The best sides of the plant are fixed in the garden forms, and therefore among them there are large-flowered species, as well as undersized specimens.
When you look at the photo of the capitate inflorescence of Scabiosa, you get the feeling that you have already seen similar flowers, but with a different name. But, if you put these flowers together and compare, then, naturally, you will see clear differences. The photo below shows the inflorescences (from left to right):
Scabiosa
Iberis
Astrantia, the general outlines of which are similar, but the small details are quite different.
Even in the photo, one can feel that Astrantia's extreme flower-petals are as hard as paper. It seems, touch them, and they rustle. And the extreme ligulate flowers of Scabiosa are soft and lively. And about Iberis - and say nothing.
True, the pronounced central disc of the Scabiosa inflorescence is lost in hybrid varieties with double inflorescences, characterized by a variety of intermediate shades of blue, violet, purple, as well as from white to pink and red. And the marginal petal flowers sometimes have completely different colors on the outside and inside.
You can meet with other "folk" names of the plant, for example, Scabbard or
Widow
Varieties
* Caucasian scabiosa (Scabiosa caucasica) - pubescent erect stem of a herbaceous perennial plant grows up to 80 cm. Leaves of Caucasian Scabiosa are of two types: broad-lanceolate or elongated-oval - basal and pinnately dissected - stem. Flat large inflorescences are collected from small flowers, painted in lilac, blue, white. Flowering lasts the last two months of summer.
* Scabiosa dark purple (Scabiosa atropurpurea) is a fragrant compact annual (sometimes biennial) with bright dark purple, pink, lilac, white funnel-shaped inflorescences. The leaves are also of two types: on the stem, the leaves are pinnate, and the basal ones are broad-leaved. It is popular with gardeners, easily tolerates a transplant, regardless of the age of the plant.
* Scabiosa stellate (Scabiosa stellata) is a short annual growing up to 40 cm, with original stellate inflorescences.
* Scabiosa brilliant (Scabiosa lucida) is a short bush (up to 30 cm) with lilac-pink inflorescences.
* Scabiosis cereal (Scabiosa graminifolia) is a 40 cm shrub with narrow leaves and purple blossoms.
Growing
Cold-resistant Scabiosa is grown outdoors, using it in mixborders; arranging flower borders out of it; undersized species look great in the alpine slides. Scabiosa is also suitable for cutting.
The plant loves the sun and fertile soils, non-acidic and moist. Watering is required during dry periods.
To make the flowering lasting, cut off the faded peduncles at the level of the first node, and in the fall - at the root.
Perennial species eventually lose their decorative effect, therefore it is recommended to replace the plant with a new one every five years.
Reproduction
Annuals and perennials are propagated by spring sowing of seeds. The latter, in addition, can be propagated by dividing the bush, which, as a rule, is carried out in the fall.
Enemies
With an excess and stagnation of moisture in the soil, fungal diseases can prevail.
The most important enemy is powdery mildew, which covers the leaves with a white powdery coating, leading to the death of the plant.
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