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Knautia spp.

scabious

Caprifoliaceae Europe, Mediterranean, Western Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Knautia spp. is a genus of about 60 species of annual and perennial herbs in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to Europe, the Mediterranean region, and western Asia. Most cultivated species are perennials forming a basal rosette of hairy, lance-shaped to lobed leaves, from which wiry, branching stems rise 1.5 to 4 feet (45 to 120 cm) tall. The flowers are gathered into rounded, pincushion-like heads 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm) across, each head made of many small florets surrounded by a ring of bracts, in the manner of the related scabious. Across the genus, flower color ranges from crimson and deep purple-red, as in K. macedonica, to lilac and pale blue, as in the field scabious K. arvensis. Bloom continues over a long summer season and draws bees and butterflies to the nectar-rich heads. The genus grows in meadows, grassy slopes, and woodland edges on a range of soils. A limitation is the lax, sprawling habit of taller species, whose thin stems can flop in rich soil or shade and may need support or placing among sturdier neighbors.

Native Range

Knautia spp. is native to Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and western Asia. Species grow in hay meadows, grassy banks, scrub, and open woodland, with several centered in the Balkans and the mountains of southern Europe.

Suggested Uses

Knautia spp. species are used in cottage gardens, mixed and perennial borders, wildflower meadows, and pollinator plantings. The long-stemmed crimson heads of K. macedonica are grown for cutting, and K. arvensis is used in meadow and naturalistic schemes.

How to Identify

Identify Knautia spp. by its rounded, pincushion-like flower heads of many small florets ringed by green bracts, borne on thin, branching, hairy stems above a basal rosette. The leaves are hairy and range from undivided and lance-shaped to deeply lobed. The four-lobed florets and the absence of a papery cup beneath each floret separate Knautia spp. from the closely related Scabiosa spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 4'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Summer Fall

Knautia spp. flowers over a long period from early summer into autumn, roughly June through September. The pincushion heads open in succession on branching stems, and removing spent heads extends the display. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers through the season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

crimson, purple, lilac, and blue

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam chalk sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Across the genus, Knautia spp. grows in full sun to light shade in moderately fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral to alkaline pH of about 6.5 to 7.5. Plants tolerate drought once established and grow loose and floppy in rich soil or too much shade. Perennial species are grown from seed or division and often self-seed where conditions suit them. Taller species are placed among sturdier plants or given support to keep the thin stems upright. Cutting plants back after the first flush encourages fresh growth and further bloom. Crowns are divided every few years to maintain vigor.

Pruning

Spent flower heads are removed through the season to prolong bloom and limit self-seeding. After the main flush, plants are cut back by about a third to encourage a second round of flowers. Old growth is cleared in late autumn or early spring.