Scabiosa africana
Scabiosa africana (Pincushion, Cape Scabious)
is a fully hardy perennial evergreen subshrub with purple flowers in early Summer, late Spring and mid Spring, and it takes less than 1 year to flower. It grows well in direct sun, and prefers medium levels of water. The flowers are explosion shaped. It looks best in Spring and Summer.General
[edit]A hardy, evergreen, perennial with rosettes of mid-green rosettes of ruffle-edges leaves. The pincushion-like flowers are borne on tall stems.
Propagation
[edit]From seed, cuttings, or by lifting rooted offshoots.
Ecology
[edit]Attracts butterflies and insects.
Soil
Scabiosa africana grows in soils ranging from a pH of 6 (acidic ranges from 5.6 to 6) to 8 (slightly alkaline ranges from 7.6 to 8). It is adapted to chalk, clay loam, loam, loamy sand, sandy clay loam and sandy loam soils, and prefers medium fertility.
Growth
This is a erect plant and has a clump forming growth form, and has an ultimate height of 0.6m / 2ft and spread of 0.3m / 11.8in. It can take 2-3 years to reach its ultimate height.
Leaves
The leaves are green in Spring and Summer. They are ovate in shape.
Exposure
The plant is happy in any situation, exposed or sheltered.
Scent
A moderate pleasant scent is emitted from the flower.
Uses
City courtyard garden, cottage informal garden, flower arranging, flower border and bed and wild flower garden.
Progagation
Propagation techniques include seed.
Origin
South Africa.
-12°C / 10.4F 6 to 8 2-3 years 0.6m / 2ft 0.3m / 11.8in
| Scientific classifications [Edit] | |
|---|---|
| Genus ? | Scabiosa |
| Specific epithet ? | africana |
| Common names |
|---|
| Pincushion (South Africa), Cape Scabious (Ireland) |
References [edit] ?
- Tidbit
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If you are planting Clematis on a trellis, why not plant 2 different cultivars. These can be cultivars which flower at the same time to contrast colour or form, or they can be an early and late cultivar to extend your season.
- Suggest your own Tidbit
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