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Serratula spp.

saw-wort

Asteraceae Europe, North Africa, and Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Serratula spp. is a genus of about 60 herbaceous perennials in the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. Plants range from dwarf forms 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall to upright species reaching 24-36 inches (60-90 cm), forming clumps 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) wide from a tough rootstock. The leaves are lance-shaped to deeply pinnately cut, with sharply saw-toothed margins that give the genus its name, mid- to deep green and held mostly in a basal rosette and along the stems. Thistle-like flowerheads 0.5-1.5 inches (1.5-4 cm) across appear singly or in small clusters at the stem tips, with tufted pink to red-purple disc florets above overlapping bracts; unlike true thistles the foliage carries no spines. Bloom comes in late summer and autumn, later than most knapweeds. The dwarf species spread slowly into low mats, while the taller ones stand erect without support in most soils. Foliage dies back in winter. The genus tolerates lean soils and some drought but flowers poorly in deep shade.

Native Range

Native across Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia to Japan. Species grow in meadows, heaths, open woodland, grassland, and rocky slopes, generally on neutral to slightly acidic soils in sun or light shade.

Suggested Uses

Grown in borders, gravel gardens, prairie-style plantings, and rock gardens, with dwarf forms at 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) and taller species at 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) spacing. The late flowers suit naturalistic schemes and carry color into autumn alongside grasses and asters. Compact species grow in troughs and containers with free drainage.

How to Identify

Recognized by spineless, thistle-like flowerheads of pink to red-purple florets above overlapping bracts, opening in late summer to autumn. The leaves are sharply saw-toothed, lance-shaped to pinnately divided, in a basal rosette and up the stems. The absence of spines separates Serratula spp. from true thistles, and the late bloom and toothed leaves distinguish it from Centaurea spp. knapweeds.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 3'

Width/Spread8" - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers open in late summer through autumn, roughly August to October, later than most related daisies. The main flush lasts 4-6 weeks. Dwarf species such as S. seoanei hold their color into the close of the season, after many summer perennials have faded.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink to red-purple

Foliage Description

mid- to deep green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-9 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 Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to light shade in well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a pH from 5.5 to 7.5. Drought is tolerated once established, though plants flower more freely with steady summer moisture. Wet, heavy winter soil can rot the crown, so sharp drainage suits them in cold regions. Little feeding is needed, and rich soil produces leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Established clumps are long-lived and seldom need division. Few pests or diseases trouble the genus.

Pruning

Spent flower stems are cut back after bloom or left standing, as the seedheads hold form into winter. Old top-growth is removed to ground level in late winter or early spring before new shoots appear. Division in spring is possible but rarely needed, as clumps stay tidy for years.

Pruning Schedule

winterearly spring