Knautia arvensis field scabious

Position full sun Soil moderately fertile, well drained, preferably alkaline soil Rate of growth average Flower colour bluish lilac Other features highly attractive to bees Hardiness fully hardy Bluish lilac, honeycomb like flowerheads on slender stems from July to September and hairy, dull green leaves. This beautiful native field scabious was once used to treat scabies and other skin ailments hence its common name. Highly attractive to butterflies and bees, itaposs perfect for naturalising in a sunny wildflower garden, mixed or herbaceous border. Garden care When sowing seeds do not use a fertiliser since wildflowers prefer poor soils. In autumn after flowering cut the faded flowerheads down to the ground and compost the dead stems. The photograph shows the small copper butterfly. Sow March October Flowering July September Approximate quantity 40 seeds.